Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), one of the most visible and well-known progressive Jewish lawmakers in Congress, last week became a cosponsor of the “Block the Bombs Act,” a bill led by far-left lawmakers that aims to severely restrict U.S. aid to Israel.

The bill would impose unprecedented new conditions on weapons sales or transfers to Israel, requiring specific congressional authorization for each individual transfer of various weapons systems, and would require Congress to identify specific purposes for which those weapons would be used. 

Critics say that it would effectively constitute an arms embargo for the key weapons in question.

Raskin has not issued any statement on his support for the bill, which aligns him with some of the most anti-Israel members of the House. Currently, 32 other lawmakers are cosponsoring the legislation, but Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, is among the most recognizable sponsors.

Three other progressive Jewish House members, Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Becca Balint (D-VT) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are also backing the bill.

Raskin’s suburban Maryland district has a sizable Jewish population.

Raskin’s support for the bill adds to a growing record of similar positions since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, including voting against supplemental aid to Israel last year and signing onto a letter calling for the U.S. to withhold offensive arms transfers to Israel after a 2024 strike that killed World Central Kitchen aid workers.

He also joined a letter accusing Israel of violating U.S. arms sales law, which would require the U.S. to cut off aid, and another one arguing that Israeli operations in Rafah would violate U.S. arms sales policy.

In addition, Raskin led an effort to restore U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The Maryland Congressman called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Nov. 17, 2023.

Raskin also flipped earlier this year against the Antisemitism Awareness Act, after supporting it last year, calling it part of “Trump’s transparent moves to undermine American democracy under the banner of opposing antisemitism.” The legislation predates Trump’s time in office.

He was a vocal defender of Columbia University protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, co-leading a letter which made no mention of Khalil’s alleged involvement with antisemitic and pro-Hamas activity.

At the same time, Raskin has continued to speak out against antisemitism and for the release of the hostages in Gaza.