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HR 223

A resolution to urge Congress to restrict the sale of U.S. arms to Israel and to urge the United States Secretary of State to reinstate the issuance of visitor visas to individuals from Gaza.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Erin Byrnes and 14 co-sponsors

Michigan House resolution urges federal action to restrict U.S.-origin arms sales to Israel and reinstate Gaza visitor visas, prioritizing children needing medical care; nonbinding.

referred to Committee on Government Operations
1
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 223

Summary — HR 223

Title (as provided): A resolution to urge Congress to restrict the sale of U.S. arms to Israel and to urge the United States Secretary of State to reinstate the issuance of visitor visas to individuals from Gaza.

Note on record: The provided document for “HR 223” contains parts of several different resolutions and action histories (including unrelated state and federal resolutions recognizing FCCLA Week and ME/CFS Awareness Day). This summary focuses on the substantive text of the resolution that urges federal action regarding U.S. arms sales to Israel and visitor visas for Gaza residents (the Michigan House resolution text included in the materials). That text appears to be a non‑binding state-level resolution asking federal actors to act.

Main purpose

To express the Michigan House’s formal position urging federal authorities to:
- Use statutory powers to prohibit or otherwise restrict sales of U.S.-origin weapons and related assistance to Israel, and
- Immediately reinstate issuance of U.S. visitor visas to individuals from Gaza — prioritizing children in urgent need of medical care.

The resolution frames these requests in the context of alleged violations of the Genocide Convention and humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict in Gaza.

Key provisions / requests

  • Urges the U.S. Congress to:
    • Use existing statutory authorities (cited: Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act mechanisms) to adopt joint resolutions prohibiting sales of U.S. arms to Israel.
    • Enact additional legislation restricting sales of U.S. arms to Israel (references H.R. 3565, the so‑called “Block the Bombs Act,” as an example).
    • Withhold any further appropriations for weapons to Israel until (a) the resolution claims Israel ends the alleged genocide in Gaza and (b) those responsible are prosecuted.
  • Urges the U.S. Secretary of State to immediately resume issuing visitor visas for Gaza residents, with special priority for children needing urgent medical care.
  • Calls on the President, Secretary of State, and members of Congress to ensure the U.S. remains a safe haven for children needing timely medical treatment.
  • Requests transmission of the resolution to the President, Secretary of State, congressional leadership, and Michigan’s congressional delegation.
  • Requests personal responses from the U.S. House Speaker and U.S. Senate Majority Leader to Michigan legislative leadership within one month of receipt.

Legal and policy mechanisms cited

  • Genocide Convention (U.S. ratified 1988) — cited as a basis for prevention obligations.
  • Arms Export Control Act — Sections referenced for congressional disapproval/joint resolutions to block arms transfers.
  • Foreign Assistance Act (Section 502B) — referenced as a mechanism for conditioning assistance based on human‑rights reports.
  • H.R. 3565 (2025) (“Block the Bombs Act”) referenced as an example of proposed federal legislation to limit specific weapons sales.

Who would be affected

  • Federal policymakers: U.S. Congress, President, and Secretary of State (the resolution urges them to take action).
  • Israel and Israeli defense procurement that relies on U.S.-origin arms and assistance.
  • Residents of Gaza (particularly patients seeking medical visas).
  • U.S. taxpayers and constituencies cited in the text (e.g., a Michigan share of federal assistance figures is noted).
  • U.S. defense contractors and exporters if federal restrictions were adopted (the resolution urges but cannot itself enact such restrictions).

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • The document provided lists multiple and inconsistent legislative actions and dates across different jurisdictions. The version of this resolution in the materials is a state House resolution (Michigan) that requests transmittal to federal leaders and seeks a one‑month reply.
  • As a state House resolution, it is non‑binding on federal actors; it serves as a formal statement of the Michigan legislature’s position and a request that federal officials act.

Potential impact and limitations

  • Impact: If federal actors heeded the resolution’s requests, potential consequences could include shifts in U.S. military assistance policy to Israel, altered visa practices for Gaza residents, and diplomatic and humanitarian effects. The resolution also seeks to elevate public and legislative pressure on Congress and the State Department.
  • Limitations: This resolution itself does not change federal law or policy. It is a declaratory, non‑binding instrument requesting federal action. Any actual restriction of arms sales or visa policy would require separate federal legislation, executive action, or rule changes by federal agencies.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact paragraphs that would be transmitted to federal leaders.
- Draft a short one‑page briefing that could accompany the resolution when sent to congressional offices, summarizing legal authority and proposed next steps.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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