Bipartisan Bill Proposed for Bunker Buster Transfer to Israel

Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer and Republican Representative Mike Lawler are collaborating on a bipartisan initiative that could allow the relocation of “Bunker Busters” to Israel. This move aims to counter any ongoing efforts by Iran towards developing nuclear capabilities.

If approved, the proposed Bunker Buster Act would enable Israel to potentially utilize these advanced weaponry options. It’s worth noting that former President Donald Trump previously targeted three Iranian nuclear sites in June. Gottheimer communicated this legislation’s introduction via a post on X, and Lawler shared his thoughts in a statement.

Lawler mentioned, “This bill empowers the president to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to stop Tehran and make the world a safer place.”

This isn’t the first time such a measure has emerged; the Bunker Buster Act was initially introduced in 2022 but failed to progress through the House Committee on Diplomacy. Gottheimer later reintroduced a version of the act in 2024, this time with Republican Brian Mast from Florida. Gottheimer pointed out that the act aims to allow the president to use Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), capable of targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

However, the recent iteration of the bill has also faced challenges in securing committee approval. While the specifics of the 2025 Bunker Buster Act are yet to be fully disclosed, Gottheimer suggested it would equip Israel with necessary resources to thwart Iranian attacks and enhance U.S. national security.

He remarked, “Iran is one of the world’s leading sponsors of terrorism and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. As Iran restructures its nuclear program, we need to maintain our maximum deterrence.” This sentiment reflects a broader urgency tied to Iran’s actions.

The bill from 2022 mandated that the storage of “MOPs or related munitions” in Israel would largely remain under U.S. control, with allowances made under specific circumstances allowing for transfer to Israel. Those conditions hinge on Iran violating nuclear agreements or if the U.S. deems it essential for national security. In such instances, the president would be responsible for the transfer decision, needing to certify it to Congress.

Acknowledging the situation, Defense Secretary Pete Heges emphasized on June 25 that the U.S. has significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear ambitions, claiming that the country’s ability to develop nuclear weapons has been incapacitated.