For first time, caucus endorses legislation directly related to Israel-Palestine conflict.
Washington, D.C. — Following a vote of its membership, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) endorsed the Block the Bombs Act, which prohibits the United States transfer of weapons that the Israeli military has used in its bombardment of Gaza until human rights violations cease.
The legislation, H.R. 3565, targets the most destructive and indiscriminate weapons systems, such as BLU-109 bunker buster bombs, 2,000-pound bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), 120mm tank rounds, and 155mm artillery shells. The legislation does not impact the U.S. provision of defensive systems such as the Iron Dome.
This is the first time the caucus has endorsed legislation directly related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and it is the first time any major caucus in Congress has endorsed legislation to end U.S. funding for the destruction of Gaza.
"The United States cannot continue to send bombs we know will be used to commit terrible atrocities in Gaza,” said Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35). “I am grateful to Rep. Ramirez for her leadership on this issue and to the members of the Caucus for recognizing the need to take a stand.”
"“Netanyahu and Trump are a lethal, unaccountable, extremist duo," said Block The Bombs lead sponsor Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03). “The Block the Bombs bill is the first step toward oversight and accountability for the murder of children with U.S.-made, taxpayer-funded weapons. In the face of authoritarian leaders perpetrating a genocidal campaign, Block the Bombs is the minimum action Congress must take. I am proud to be part of a caucus of progressive leaders who are challenging policies that destroy life, rob our children of futures, or dehumanize our neighbors."
The organization New Jewish Narrative also endorsed Block the Bombs last week.
“America cannot and should not go on with business as usual while the Netanyahu government tramples on human rights,” said Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of New Jewish Narrative. “It’s hard for members of Congress to take this step. It was hard for us as well. That’s what leadership is. I am an IDF combat veteran. I put myself in the gunsights of Hezbollah fighters to defend Israel. I assure you that support for this bill does more for Israel’s defense than continuing to support Netanyahu’s endless war.”
The CPC’s endorsement follows a joint statement by its leadership in July condemning Israeli government policy that has triggered famine in Gaza, demanding the unfettered entry of legitimate aid agencies into the strip, and using U.S. leverage to end starvation and death in Gaza.
The legislation has nearly 50 co-sponsors. Along with co-leads Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Ramirez’s bill is cosponsored by Representatives Balint (VT-AL), Beyer (VA-08), Bonamici (OR-01), Carson (IN-07), Casar (TX-35), Castro (TX-20), Chu (CA-28), Davis (IL-07), Dean (PA-04), DeSaulnier (CA-10), Doggett (TX-37), Escobar (TX-16), Foushee (NC-04), Frost (FL-10), Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Green (TX-09), Hoyle (OR-04), Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Kelly (IL-02), Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), Leger Fernández (NM-03), Lofgren (CA-18), Magaziner (RI-02), McGovern (MA-02), Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Omar (MN-05), Pingree (ME-01), Pressley (MA-07), Raskin (MD-08), Scanlon (PA-05), Schakowsky (IL-09), Simon (CA-12), Stansbury (NM-01), Takano (CA-39), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Tlaib (MI-12), Tonko (NY-20), Velázquez (NY-07), Waters (CA-43), and Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
Read the legislation here.