Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen vow to fight the largest proposed transfer of heavy munitions to Israel in recent years

Morgan Phillips By Morgan Phillips Fox News

Published September 17, 2026 6:30am EDT

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The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion military aid package for Israel that would include 40,000 heavy bombs, according to multiple reports. It would be the largest proposed transfer of the powerful munitions to Israel in recent years, if it clears Congress.

The proposed package includes 20,000 unguided bombs designed to destroy buildings and bunkers, known as MK-84 bombs, and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, which are warhead versions fitted with precision-guidance kits — both bombs are 2,000 pounds per unit. Additionally, according to Reuters and The Washington Post, the proposal includes 20,000 much-tougher I-2000 penetrator warheads, which are designed to penetrate concrete or underground facilities before exploding.

The package, which is not yet final, has been informally communicated to congressional committees that review major U.S. arms sales — and it’s already drawing opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is calling on Congress to reject the White House’s proposal, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., vowed that lawmakers will “work to stop it.”

A Crane Army Ammunition Activity employee transports MK 84 2,000-pound bombs, the same kind included in the reported arms package for Israel.(U.S. Army photo by Hayley Smith, Crane Army Ammunition Activity)

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“The American people are sick and tired of funding Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” Sanders wrote on social media, accusing the Trump administration of “doubling down” by providing $2.8 billion in bombs to the Israeli government.

“Not acceptable. Congress must reject these agreements.”

Van Hollen similarly criticized the proposed package and its use of U.S. taxpayer funds, writing, “How is this America First? We will work to stop it.”

The State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Israel’s Ministry of Defense declined to weigh in.

“All foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process. We do not comment on pending sales,” a senior administration official told Fox News Digital.

Most of the package would be financed through Foreign Military Financing, which uses congressionally appropriated U.S. funds for eligible allies to purchase American-made defense equipment.

If completed, the package would be the largest single sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in recent years. It would exceed a 2025 sale that included more than 35,500 of the bombs. The Trump administration approved that nearly $3 billion sale after bypassing the normal congressional review process.

It’s unclear whether that bypass could or will be used again this time around.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.(RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

The weapons were at the center of a previous U.S. policy dispute, as well.

During President Joe Biden’s term, his administration paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in 2024 over concerns of the potential for mass casualties in densely populated Gaza. President Donald Trump lifted that hold after returning to office.

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The 2,000-pound bombs have multiple variants designed for different targets, including hardened and underground structures.

Israel has used U.S.-made heavy munitions during its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, while the United States has used similar weapons against hardened targets in previous conflicts.

The proposed transfer comes as Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts.

Israeli forces have continued strikes against Hamas in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire, while tensions with Hezbollah persist following fighting in Lebanon.

The United States and Israel also conducted military operations against Iran earlier this year.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., speaks as he campaigns for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., during a campaign rally in Ferndale, Michigan, U.S., July 25, 2026.(Rebecca Cook/Reuters)

The package remains at an early stage of the U.S. arms sales process.

Informal congressional notification allows relevant committees to review a proposed transfer before the administration proceeds to formal notification.

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If the administration formally notifies Congress, lawmakers would have an opportunity to review the proposal under the Arms Export Control Act and could pursue legislation seeking to block the sale.