Progressive Caucus backs bill halting US arms to 'Israel'
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus endorses the Block the Bombs Act, aiming to halt US arms to "Israel" amid its Gaza campaign, which the caucus calls a genocide.
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The Capitol is seen in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 (AP)
In a historic first for one of the largest caucuses in the American Congress, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has voted to endorse legislation that would halt US arms transfers to "Israel" amid its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which the caucus has characterized as a genocide, Anadolu reported.
In a move representing nearly 100 House members, the Congressional Progressive Caucus backed the Block the Bombs Act, which would stop shipments of specific munitions like bunker buster bombs and 155mm artillery shells until "Israel" ends its human rights violations.
According to an exclusive story from Zeteo, CPC Chair Rep. Greg Casar said in a statement, "The United States cannot continue to send bombs we know will be used to commit terrible atrocities in Gaza."
“The Block the Bombs bill is the first step toward oversight and accountability for the murder of children with US-made, taxpayer-funded weapons. In the face of authoritarian leaders perpetrating a genocidal campaign, Block the Bombs is the minimum action Congress must take,” said Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez.
Fifty members of the CPC have already signed the bill. American journalist Ryan Grim emphasized on X the historic nature of the vote, writing that the CPC had historically resisted weighing in on "Israel" because so many of its members were "progressive except for Palestine," an era that is now fading and making this endorsement a major signal.
In July, a record one-quarter of the Senate, including half the Democratic caucus, voted to block weapon sales to "Israel", and pressure has since intensified as "Israel" has escalated attacks on Palestinians while also carrying out deadly operations in neighboring countries, including Yemen.
Trump seeking approval for $6bln weapons deal with 'Israel'
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly seeking congressional approval for a $6 billion weapons deal with "Israel" despite its recent airstrike on Qatar, according to The Wall Street Journal.
According to sources familiar with the request, the proposed arms package includes 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with 3,250 infantry assault vehicles worth another $1.9 billion. Although the deal is under review, the delivery of the weaponry is not anticipated for another two to three years.
This development occurs despite "Israel's" genocide in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties, the overwhelming majority of whom are reportedly women and children. It also coincides with the United States extending unconditional military and diplomatic support to "Israel".
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced in its daily report on September 21 that hospitals had received the bodies of 75 individuals, including four retrieved from under the rubble, and 304 injuries over 24 hours, with many more victims remaining trapped beneath debris and along roads due to continued bombardment that makes them unreachable.
Since October 7, 2023, and as of September 21, 2025, the death toll from the war on Gaza has reached 65,283 Palestinians, with an additional 166,575 injured.
