Ramirez, Members of Congress, Advocates Commemorate the One -Year Anniversary of the Bipartisan Block the Bombs

Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) joined members of Congress and advocates to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the introduction of the bipartisan Block the Bombs Act. In response to the expansion of military aggression with US-made weapons in the region by the Israeli government, the coalition is calling for the immediate passage of the legislation.

The Block the Bombas Act would withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and demand Israel's compliance with U.S. and international law. The bipartisan bill has 73 members of Congress cosponsoring it, is endorsed by the Progressive Caucus, and more than 200 candidates around the country have pledged to support the legislation.

"A year ago, I stood here with human rights organizations and with the backing of 21 members of Congress to introduce the Block the Bombs Act. Many told us we'd be lucky to get any additional members on the bill; that the bill was extreme. Well, a year later and with 73 members cosponsoring the bill, I feel like I can confidently say the bill has, in fact, gone mainstream," said Congresswoman Ramirez.

Since the legislation was introduced last year, Trump and Netanyahu have continued unlawful military operations across the Middle East. Despite a ceasefire deal in Gaza since October 10, 2025, Israeli policies are barring humanitarian aid, andat least 922 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more have been wounded by Israeli forces. The overall Palestinian death toll since the broader conflict began in October 2023 has surpassed 72,000. In Lebanon, over 3,500 people were killed by U.S. enabled Israeli military operations. In Iran, at least 3,468 people have been killed in US-Israeli attacks since February 28.

"The United States and Israel are violating U.S. and international law. And this Congress has failed to stop them. But we have been clear that impunity cannot be - should not be- an option. That is why Americans across the country have continued organizing, demanding an end to the genocide, the excuses, and the endless wars. So, I am committed to continuing to work by your side until the Block the Bombs Act becomes the Block the Bombs Law," continued Ramirez.

Block the Bombs Act is cosponsored by Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-3), Becca Baliant (D-VT-At Large), Donald Beyer (D-VA-8), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), André Carson (D-IN-7), Troy Carter (D-LA-2), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Danny Davis (D-IL-7), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-3), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-4), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-8), Jesús G. "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL-4), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Al Green (D-TX-9), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-7), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5), Jared Huffman (D-CA-2), Steven Horsford (D-NV-4), Val Hoyle (D-OR-4), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-1), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Robin Kelly (D-IL-2), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Teresa Legar Fernandez (D-NM-3), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-2), Thomas Massie (R-KY-4), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ-11), Christian Menefee (D-TX-18]), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), James McGovern (D-MA-2),LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14]), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-1), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2), Mike Thompson (D-CA-4), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-2), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14]), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2]), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-7), Bonnie Coleman Watson (D-NJ-12), and Maxine Waters (D-CA-43).

"I am here today to express my incredible support for Block the Bombs. We know that every bomb paid for again by U.S. taxpayer dollars is overwhelmingly opposed by Americans of all different political backgrounds. I am proud to stand with some of the bravest members of Congress. I am so incredibly proud of Representative Ramirez as she continues to lead over 73 of my colleagues that I could have never imagined would be supporting the Block the Bomb Act as we continue this urgent fight. Our fight to Block the Bombs is as urgent as ever," said Congresswoman Tlaib.

"One year ago today, I was proud to join Congresswoman Ramirez and 20 other members of Congress to introduce the Block the Bombs Act. Today, I am even more proud of our community for bringing together more than seventy members of Congress now supporting the Block the Bombs Act, which has now been endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. I am honored to have been a small part of it alongside its brave author, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and the brave movement of peace activists from all over the country of all backgrounds and faiths who have come together to say it is time to Block the Bombs," Congressman Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The legislation is endorsed by local and nation organizations, including the Adalah Justice Project, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action), Amnesty International USA, Arab Resource & Organizing Center Action (AROC Action), Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for International Policy Advocacy, Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Defense for Children International - Palestine, Demand Progress, Emgage Action, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, Human Rights Watch, IfNotNow Movement, IMEU Policy Project, Indivisible, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ), Justice Democrats, MADRE, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, MPower Change Action Fund, New Internationalism Project, Institute for Policy Studies, Presbyterian Church (USA), Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Rabbis for Ceasefire, Rising Majority, Sunrise Movement, The United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), Win Without War, Working Families Party, Rabbis for Ceasefire, and Democratic Socialists of America.

"The Block the Bombs Act was introduced one year ago, and as of yesterday, 73 members of Congress support it. This is historic, but it is not enough. American Jews who support freedom and justice for all will keep struggling and keep organizing until we have stopped the bombs, the war planes, and the machinery of death that our government continues funding to Israel. I believe with all my heart that the phrase Never Again rings hollow unless it means Never Again for anyone. Never Again is now. The Block the Bombs Act is one critical first step towards ending U.S. complicity with genocide. We must save lives and create a pathway toward justice," said Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, the Council of Jewish Voices for Peace.

"Since its introduction last year, its passage has only grown more urgent. The Block the Bombs Act is currently the strongest legislation we have in Congress that would effectively impose a partial arms embargo on Israel at a time when Israel is carrying out violations of international law across the region. Amnesty International will continue to demand that every member of Congress sign on in support of this bill and take action to cut off the flow of arms that are fueling Israel's atrocities," Elizabeth Rghebi, from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Advocacy Director for Amnesty International.

"For the tens of thousands of Palestinians we have lost to Israel's violence, and the 2 million more living in a perpetual nightmare, we must continue to work to make bills like the Block the Bombs the status quo in Congress. I am grateful to members of Congress who are standing up with us here today, and a special thank you to Congresswoman Delia Ramirez for introducing the Block the Bombs Act and spearheading an effort in Congress that we can be proud of," Margaret DeReus, Executive Director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) and the IMEU Policy Project.

"The genocide against Palestinians has not stopped. Since Congresswoman Ramirez introduced this legislation alongside 21 other members, JVP action members across the country have mobilized. The Block the Bombs Act has now grown in number to 73 members who are supporting it, and that is historic and the result of historic organizing. But that number is also horrifically low compared to the number of members of Congress that there are. This bill is a minimum requirement and is a sign of how far we have left to go. It is time for all of Congress to act. It is time to Block the Bombs," Beth Miller, Political Director of Jewish Voices for Peace Action.

"Gaza City was the cultural and intellectual heart of the Gaza Strip. It is where you went to study, to argue about ideas, and to feel the full weight of the Palestinian experience in a thriving city. Since October 2023, more than 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza, with names, with parents, with futures. They were killed by American bombs delivered by American supply aircraft funded by American taxpayers. Policy can change. I am here today because Palestinian children deserve to live. Palestinian human beings deserve to live. Because the people of Gaza deserve to live in dignity and honor, and deserve a better life. This is not just a political position. It is a human one. Block the Bombs," Jehad Abusalim, Executive Director of the Gaza Genocide Center.

"We are fortunate that we have people in power who understand the reality and the role we must play. Each and every one of these members of Congress has chosen to take action and has chosen to listen to the people. Over 60% of Americans want to stop arming Israel, and the 73 members supporting the legislation are choosing their constituents over anyone else. This bill challenges the status quo and confirms our commitment to the U.S. and international law that for far too long has been subverted in favor of politics and profit. It is clear that we have so much more to do," Iman Abid- Thompson, Political Director for the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action.

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