Bipartisan legislation introduced in the House on Wednesday calls on Washington to send Israel the sorts of bunker-buster bombs that it needed the United States to drop last month on underground Iranian nuclear sites.
Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y), as well as Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), introduced the legislation that would authorize the United States to send the bombs and required aircraft to bear them to the Jewish state.
The lawmakers said giving the weapons to Israel would enhance U.S. security as well, noting the attacks by Iran and its proxies against U.S. service members and facilities.
“Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror, and one of America’s top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon,” Gottheimer stated. “Iran has killed scores of Americans, including our service members, and repeatedly attacked our key democratic ally, Israel.”
“Israel must be able to defend herself against Iran, and ensure that Iran cannot rebuild its nuclear capabilities,” he added.
The lawmakers said while the bombs degraded Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic hasn’t given up on efforts to enrich the amount of uranium needed to build a nuclear weapon.
“Iran’s uranium stockpile makes clear that the danger is real,” Lawler said. “This bill gives the president the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place.”
