Trump Administration Proposes $2.8 Billion Bomb Package for Israel, Drawing Congressional Opposition
The proposed transfer of heavy munitions faces criticism from Democratic lawmakers concerned about civilian casualties and the use of U.S. taxpayer funds.
The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion military aid package for Israel that includes 40,000 heavy bombs, according to multiple reports. This proposed transfer, which would be the largest of its kind in recent years if approved by Congress, includes 20,000 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs designed to destroy buildings and bunkers, and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, which are the same weight but fitted with precision-guidance kits.
<!----> The package also reportedly includes 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads, designed to breach concrete or underground facilities before detonation.
The proposal has been informally shared with congressional committees that review major U.S. arms sales and has already sparked opposition from prominent Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has called for Congress to reject the White House's proposal, stating, "The American people are sick and tired of funding Israel's genocide in Gaza." He accused the administration of "doubling down" by providing the bombs and urged Congress to reject the deal.
<!----> Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland echoed this sentiment, questioning the administration's approach and vowing that lawmakers will "work to stop it." He also criticized the use of U.S. taxpayer funds, asking, "How is this America First?"
A senior administration official stated that "All foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process. We do not comment on pending sales." The State Department and Israel's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Most of the package would be funded through Foreign Military Financing, a program that uses U.S. appropriated funds to help allies purchase American defense equipment. If finalized, this sale would surpass a 2025 transfer that included over 35,500 of the 2,000-pound bombs, which was approved by the Trump administration after bypassing the standard congressional review process.
<!----> These types of heavy munitions have previously been a point of contention. During President Biden's term, his administration temporarily halted a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in 2024 due to concerns about potential civilian casualties in Gaza. President Trump lifted that hold upon returning to office.
The proposed package comes as Israel remains engaged in military operations on multiple fronts. Israeli forces continue operations against Hamas in Gaza amidst a fragile ceasefire, and tensions persist with Hezbollah following exchanges of fire in Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel also conducted military operations against Iran earlier this year.
The proposed transfer is currently in the informal stage of the U.S. arms sales process. This initial notification allows congressional committees to review the potential transfer before the administration proceeds to a formal notification, after which lawmakers would have a defined period to review the proposal and could seek to block it through legislation.