“Trump is sending $2.8 billion of bombs paid for by you, the American taxpayer, to a govt led by a wanted war criminal. … [We will work to stop it.]
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The Administration Moves to Sell Israel 40,000 of the 2,000-Pound Bombs Biden Once Paused — the Top House Foreign Affairs Democrat Places a Hold, Saying "I Therefore Will Not Clear This Sale at This Time," and Chris Van Hollen Vows to Stop Bombs Sent "to a Govt Led by a Wanted War Criminal"
September 16, 2026
On Sept. 15, 2026, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration had informally notified Congress of a roughly $2.8 billion munitions package for Israel — 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, including MK-84 general-purpose bombs, BLU-117s and I-2000 penetrator warheads, largely paid for with U.S. Foreign Military Financing. The Biden administration had paused deliveries of 2,000-pound bombs in 2024 over concern about their use in densely populated parts of Gaza. On Sept. 16, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he would not clear the sale during the informal review, citing "grave, unresolved concerns" about the bombs' use in Gaza and Lebanon, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said he would work to block it. A hold is not binding: Secretary of State Marco Rubio can bypass congressional review with an emergency declaration, as the administration has done with earlier Israel sales. A senior White House official said only that "all foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process."
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“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.
“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.
“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.