H.R.4281 - The Bunker Buster Act of 2025

H.R.4281 was introduced on 2 July 2025 by Representatives Lawler (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-FL). It is currently pending before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and has 5 co-sponsors on a bipartisan basis.

Related legislation:

Bill Summary: Should Iran take certain steps that would loosen oversight of its nuclear program or if the President decides it is vital to the national security of the U.S., H.R.4281 would authorize the President to transfer Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP) to Israel, and would authorize the President to provide for (i.e. fund) military construction in Israel to enable related capabilities, including extended runways, hangers, and munition storage facilities. Despite its authors’ express intent, due to a basic drafting error that includes aircraft under an authorization for ‘construction,’ H.R.4281, as written, would not actually authorize the transfer of any aircraft capable of carrying the MOP. The language as drafted would, however, by providing a standing authorization to the President for any transfers authorized by the Act, appearing to overcome the statutory requirement for Congressional Notification.

Context: The Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), GBU-57, is a 30,000lb 'bunker buster' bomb that can penetrate to 60 meters, and whose size makes it deployable only from a B-2 stealth bomber, a modified B-52 bomber, or, in the future, by the pending B-21 Raider or by a modified B-52. These facts generate some issues for consideration:

• Only 21 B-2 Bombers were built at a cost, in current year dollars, of $4 billion each, with the last coming off the production line in the year 2000. 19 remain operable, and are critical elements of the U.S. nuclear deterrent triad – there are no ‘spares’ that can be provided to other countries.

• The B-2 has never been offered for export due to its unique stealth technology and other cutting-edge technological features, which continue to receive updates. Due to the sensitivity of this technology, the U.S. bases its operational B-2 bombers only at Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri, permitting temporary deployments to overseas bases as needed.

• Alternatively, the B-52 fleet, which dates back to the 1950s, and which is also a key element of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, is currently undergoing a retrofit which will not start to deliver aircraft with upgraded radars and engines until 2033.

• The B-21 is not yet operational, and will require significant technological release review, including potentially downgrades to certain technologies, before it is advisable to, or eligible for, export.

The Iranian nuclear site as Isfahan was not targeted with GBU-57s during the June 2025 U.S. strikes because, at an estimated 90 meters below ground, it is beyond the capability of these munitions to reach.

In addition to these multiple logistical, cost, and capability constraints, the transfer to Israel of nuclear-capable bombers (which all 3 options are), of which two are stealth bombers, would inevitably trigger a significant regional arms race that would be incredibly destabilizing and directly undermine the authors of the Bill’s intent to ‘maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge.’

American Values Analysis: The transfer of heavy bombers to a foreign country to enable it to conduct pre-emptive strikes against third country that may not be in any violation of its own international commitments flies in the face of a U.S. desire to be free, as President Thomas Jefferson put it in his Inaugural Address, of entangling alliances.

American Interest Analysis: This Bill authorizes the President to take on immeasurable expenses in order to deliver inconsequential capabilities while generating incalculable risk – including to U.S. national security, technological exposure, and regional stability. There is a reason why despite suggestions from unserious Members of Congress for decades to transfer heavy bombers to Israel, no U.S. Administration has ever done so. Put simply – this Bill is in no one’s interest, least of all that of the United States.

A New Policy’s Recommendation: OPPOSE

A New Policy opposes H.R.4281 because it is nothing more than a craven attempt to appear as “Israel-First” as possible while taking no account of what is in the U.S. interest, nor of costs, nor, for that matter, of basic matters of practicality.

For more information please contact: Josh Paul, (202) 770-0055, info@anewpolicy.org