Congresswoman Ramirez, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Mahmoud Khalil Lead Day of Action for Block the Bombs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by actors Cynthia Nixon and Morgan Spector, emergency doctor Adil Husain, and advocate Mahmoud Khalil, led a day of action on Capitol Hill to urge Congressmembers to support H.R. 3565, The Block the Bombs Act, to end Netanyahu's genocide campaign in Gaza.

The group led a press conference and a legislative briefing to inform about the landmark legislation that would withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and demand Israel's compliance with U.S. and international law. The day of action occurred as Congress considered the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes over $620 million in additional funding for Israel's offensive and defensive operations.

"Netanyahu and Trump are a lethal, unaccountable, extremist duo. They are both out of control. Congress needs to assert its oversight authority," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "Enough is enough. I am urging my colleagues in Congress to join a broad coalition listening to the American people who don't want their tax dollars supporting gross violations of U.S., international, and humanitarian law. It is time we pass the Block the Bombs Act."

"The United States cannot continue bankrolling a genocide. The Block the Bombs Act is a vital step toward ending our complicity in the mass killing and forced starvation of Palestinian civilians. We are here on the Hill today to call on every single member of Congress to join the Block the Bombs Act now in order to stop the flow of weapons, save lives, and end this genocide," expressed Emmy Award winner Cynthia Nixon.

"Since 2023, successive administrations have allowed Israel to use tens of billions of dollars in US-supplied weapons to commit atrocities in Gaza. After two years, 77 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of all Americans have concluded that Israel is committing genocide. In that context, the Block the Bombs Act is essential - it's about stopping the flow of U.S. weapons that enable the bombing, displacement, and starvation of 2 million Palestinians. Congress must act to end US complicity and stop the war," said SAG-nominated actor Morgan Spector.

"Every day for almost two years, my community has mourned as families are wiped out, homes destroyed, and children starved. All carried out by a government that the U.S. is fully funding. Blocking U.S. weapons to Israel is the most direct way to stop this horror and end this genocide. Those who cosponsor this bill are taking a clear stance on the right side of history," shared advocate Mahmoud Khalil.

The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez and co-led by Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Mark Pocan (WI-02). It currently has an additional 42 Members of Congress as cosponsors, including Becca Balint (VT-AL), Donald S. Beyer (VA-8), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-8), Danny K. Davis (IL-7), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-4), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-8), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Al Green (TX-9), Val T. Hoyle (OR-4), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-2), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Seth Magaziner (RI-2), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Bennie Thompson (MS-2) Mike Thompson (CA-4), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

It also has the support of local and national organizations, which can be provided upon request.

For photos and videos of the event, CLICK HERE.

For a live stream of the press conference, CLICK HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Israel's war in Gazabegan after a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's military campaign has killed over 64,000 people, mostly women and children. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population, and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.

At the moment, Hamas militants are still holding 48 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.