Gregory Meeks Blocks $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has placed a hold on a proposed $2.8 billion arms sale of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The package includes 20,000 MK-84s, 20,000 BLU-117s, and I-2000 penetrator warheads, funded through the State Department's Foreign Military Financing program. Meeks stated that the Trump administration failed to provide sufficient assurances that the Netanyahu government would use these munitions in accordance with U.S. law and with appropriate protections for civilians in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.

While Meeks maintains support for Israel's legitimate defense needs, he argues that Congress must ensure safeguards for human life. The move follows the Trump administration's reversal of a Biden-era pause on such shipments. The proposal has also drawn criticism from podcaster Tucker Carlson, who compared the volume of the shipment to World War II bombing raids, while Israel maintains its munitions use complies with all relevant laws.

Despite the hold, the administration of President Donald Trump can bypass congressional review by invoking emergency authorities under the Arms Export Control Act. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously used this tactic to advance arms packages. Only a veto-proof resolution passed by two-thirds of both the House and Senate could legally block the transfer if an emergency is declared.