2025 House Resolution 223

Whereas, The United States signed the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, otherwise known as the Genocide Convention, on December 11, 1948. In 1988, Congress passed and the President signed the bipartisan Genocide Convention Implementation Act, leading to the United States’ ratification of the Genocide Convention on November 25, 1988; and

Whereas, A growing number of humanitarian groups and scholars, including Israeli organizations, are concluding that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. South Africa has even instituted proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice, arguing that Israel is committing genocide, has failed to prevent genocide, and has failed to prevent or punish the incitement of genocide; and

Whereas, Our nation has provided billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Israel, which are being used to facilitate Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The United States obligated over 300 billion dollars in foreign assistance to Israel from 1948 to 2024, adjusting for inflation. Researchers at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs calculate that Congress appropriated at least 17.9 billion dollars in security assistance for Israel between 2023 and 2024. The U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action has calculated that, based on the proportion of federal income tax paid by Michigan residents in fiscal year 2020, Michigan’s share of this 17.9 billion is over 420 million dollars. This is Michigan taxpayers’ money, and it should be used to meet the needs of Michigan residents; and

Whereas, Congress is empowered to prevent certain arms transfers by federal law. Congress can prohibit sales of U.S. arms to specific countries by adopting a joint resolution under Section 3 of the Arms Export Control Act, if a country uses U.S.-origin weapons or defense services for an unauthorized purpose, or under Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, after requesting a report from the United States Secretary of State about the country’s “observance of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedom.” Alternatively, Congress can adopt a joint resolution of disapproval to block specific sales of U.S. arms, under Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act; and

Whereas, Congress can further restrict the provision of military or other foreign aid through the regular legislative process. For example, House Bill 3565 of 2025 would prohibit the sale of certain weapons and related services to the Government of Israel unless “a law is enacted identifying the specific purpose or purposes for which such [weapons] or services may be used” and Israel provides written assurances that such articles will be used “in accordance with international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and relevant bilateral agreements.” This legislation is colloquially known as the “Block the Bombs Act”; and

Whereas, From May to September 2025, over 2,500 Palestinians were killed while attempting to retrieve food. At the time, many of these distribution sites were operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, an organization reportedly established by or in close consultation with Israel and backed by a 30 million dollar grant from the U.S. government. Furthermore, data from an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Global Famine Review Committee analysis completed in August 2025 confirmed that Gaza has been experiencing a famine, with over 500,000 people facing starvation. In a July 2025 screening, over 2,500 children were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition, which can require medical stabilization that is difficult to provide in Gaza’s under-resourced hospitals; and

Whereas, A supposed ceasefire went into effect on October 10, 2025, but since that time, Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians and failed to meet its commitment to allow 600 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza per day. Israel continues to occupy approximately half the territory of Gaza; and

Whereas, Under the Genocide Convention, signatories are obligated to prevent and punish genocide wherever it occurs. Providing humanitarian relief, including access to medical care for children and families, is an essential means by which the United States can fulfill its obligations under international law and uphold its commitment to human rights and dignity. However, in August 2025, the United States Department of State suspended the issuance of all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, including those for medical treatment. Blocking Palestinian children, injured by U.S.-supplied weapons, from obtaining medical treatment in the United States is unnecessarily cruel, undermines America’s global standing, and contradicts both domestic and international values; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Congress to utilize its existing statutory powers and adopt joint resolutions to prohibit sales of U.S. arms to Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge Congress to enact legislation further restricting the sale of U.S. arms to Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge Congress not to appropriate any additional funds for weapons to Israel until it ends its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and those responsible for committing genocide are prosecuted and held responsible for their crimes; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the United States Secretary of State to immediately reinstate the issuance of visitor visas to individuals from Gaza, with particular priority given to visitor visas for children in urgent need of medical care; and be it further

Resolved, That we call upon the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, and members of Congress to ensure that the United States remains a safe haven for children whose survival depends on timely medical treatment; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation; and be it further

Resolved, That we request a personal response to this resolution be sent from the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the United States Senate to the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate within one month of receipt.