US Representative Delia Ramirez has held preliminary discussions with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries about advancing legislation that would restrict American weapons transfers to Israel and bring the proposal to a vote in the next Congress, according to a report published by Drop Site News on Tuesday.
Ramirez, a Democratic lawmaker from Illinois who introduced the Block the Bombs Act, said she intended to hold further discussions with Jeffries in the coming days. She indicated that the House Democratic leader had not explicitly rejected her proposal, expressing hope that growing support among progressive lawmakers could help move the legislation forward.
The proposed bill seeks to prevent the sale, transfer or export of specific offensive weapons to Israel, including bunker-destroying bombs, artillery ammunition and precision-guided weapons, unless certain conditions are fulfilled.
First introduced in May 2025, the legislation has attracted 82 congressional cosponsors but has not yet been presented for a vote before the full House.
Ramirez believes the Congressional Progressive Caucus could play a significant role in securing parliamentary support for the measure. The group is expected to expand following last week’s midterm elections, potentially strengthening its influence within the Democratic Party.
She said she had discussed the legislative strategy with caucus Chair Greg Casar and met several newly elected representatives who had campaigned on ending US military assistance to Israel.
Ramirez emphasized that progressives were carefully coordinating their efforts, focusing on building support and attracting additional cosponsors for the proposed legislation.
She argued that the incoming lawmakers would place the caucus in a stronger position than ever before, allowing progressive members to exert greater influence over Democratic leadership and its legislative priorities.
However, Jeffries has not made any public commitment to schedule a vote on the bill.
The discussions are taking place as Jeffries seeks the position of House speaker following the Democrats’ victory in both chambers of Congress during the November 3 midterm elections.
Several newly elected progressive Democrats have refrained from pledging their support for Jeffries’ speakership bid, seeking assurances that their key policy priorities, particularly regarding American military assistance to Israel, will receive attention.
House Democrats are expected to conduct their internal leadership elections later this month. The entire House of Representatives will elect its speaker when the 120th Congress officially begins in January.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE