Top Democrats Hold Up Proposed $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has withheld her approval of a proposed $2.8 billion U.S. weapons sale to Israel, while Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has also announced that he will not clear the transaction, according to Semafor and congressional statements.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Gregory Meeks have raised objections to a proposed $2.8 billion U.S. weapons package for Israel. [Photo: Air Force]

The proposed package includes 40,000 2,000-pound bombs. Shaheen has raised questions about how the weapons would be used in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, as well as concerns about the potential impact of the arms transfer on the war involving Iran.

Semafor reported that she has withheld consent since July while seeking answers from the Trump administration about how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government would use the weapons.

Meeks announced recently that he would not clear the proposed sale because of what he called unresolved concerns about whether the weapons would be used in accordance with U.S. and international law.

“The Trump administration's proposed sale of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs ... raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon,” Meeks said.

The proposed weapons package had previously drawn scrutiny during the Biden administration.

The administration had paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas of Gaza.

Congressional leaders can object to proposed arms sales through an informal review process. However, a lawmaker's objection does not necessarily prevent an administration from proceeding.

The president can invoke emergency authorities to bypass the normal congressional review process.