Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Wednesday that he will not clear the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion military aid package to Israel, which reportedly includes 40,000 heavy bombs.
In a statement, Meeks said there are concerns “that those munitions would not be used in accordance with U.S. and international law.”
“I remain firmly committed to Israel’s security and its ability to defend itself against serious regional threats. But the Trump administration’s proposed sale of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, some of the most destructive munitions in our arsenal, raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon,” Meeks said.
“The Trump administration has not provided sufficient assurances that these weapons will be used by the Netanyahu government in accordance with U.S. law and with appropriate protections for civilians. I therefore will not clear this sale at this time. This decision does not diminish Congressional support for Israel’s legitimate defense needs; it reflects Congress’s responsibility to ensure that U.S.-funded weapons are used lawfully, responsibly, and with meaningful safeguards for human life,” he continued.
Ranking Member @RepGregoryMeeks announced he will not clear the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns that those munitions would not be used in accordance with U.S. and international law. pic.twitter.com/g6mwNvUTOF
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) September 16, 2026
Fox News shared further:
The proposed package includes 20,000 unguided bombs designed to destroy buildings and bunkers, known as MK-84 bombs, and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, which are warhead versions fitted with precision-guidance kits — both bombs are 2,000 pounds per unit. Additionally, according to Reuters and The Washington Post, the proposal includes 20,000 much-tougher I-2000 penetrator warheads, which are designed to penetrate concrete or underground facilities before exploding.
ADVERTISEMENTThe package, which is not yet final, has been informally communicated to congressional committees that review major U.S. arms sales — and it’s already drawing opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is calling on Congress to reject the White House’s proposal, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., vowed that lawmakers will “work to stop it.”
“The American people are sick and tired of funding Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” Sanders said.
“Now Trump is doubling down and using OUR taxpayer dollars to give the extremist Netanyahu government $2.8 billion in bombs. Not acceptable. Congress must reject these agreements,” he added.
The American people are sick and tired of funding Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Now Trump is doubling down and using OUR taxpayer dollars to give the extremist Netanyahu government $2.8 billion in bombs.
Not acceptable. Congress must reject these agreements.
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 16, 2026
More from the Associated Press:
Meeks’ objections, however, will not likely affect the sale, which was informally notified to lawmakers on Tuesday. Once it is formally notified to Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio can bypass the normal congressional review process by making an emergency determination that the transaction is an urgent national security interest.
Rubio has done so in the past, including bypassing a normal congressional review process to approve a nearly $3 billion sale to Israel last year. The administration then approved a new series of arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion in January.
The State Department did not respond to requests for comment about either the new proposed sale or Meeks’ objection to it.
What are your thoughts?
