Nicole Silverio, DCNF
Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to cut off aid to Israel Wednesday caused a major divide among House Democrats.
Massie introduced an amendment to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 that would slash $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel. Over 100 Democrats voted for the amendment, while House Democrat leadership and dozens of other Democratic lawmakers voted against it.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a “Dear Colleague” letter Tuesday informing his caucus that he would vote against the amendment. He said Democrats would not whip the vote because Republicans were trying to “weaponize” the amendment.
Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar voted against the amendment. Democratic Reps. Ami Bera of California, Shontel Brown of Ohio and eight other Democrats voted “present.”
During a phone call in June, Democrats could not reach an agreement on how to handle the amendment, with some arguing that the party should support Israel less. Far-left and progressive Democrats argued that Israel committed “genocide” in Gaza and engaged in ethnic cleansing, prompting them to oppose military aid, while center-left Democrats supported security support for Israel.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus told reporters Wednesday that the growing number of Democrats opposing aid to Israel is “immense progress.” In April 2024, 37 Democrats voted for a similar to measure that would have cut aid to Israel.
“It used to be that just a small number of House Democrats would vote against sending tax payer dollars or weapons for the Israeli military,” Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar said at a gaggle attended by the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Then two years ago, 37 House Democrats voted for a measure to not send billions of dollars to the Israeli military. Today, over 100 House Democrats voted for a measure to block billions of dollars in weapons to Netanyahu. That is immense progress, that is a victory for our movement, for security, peace and justice for all people.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also supported the amendment.
Massie said while the amendment did not pass, it was clear that the “tide [was] changing.”
“Though my amendment to strike $3.3 billion in aid to Israel from the State Dept Approps bill did not pass, 104 House Members voted in favor of it. The tide is changing. Americans want their tax dollars to be spent improving things here at home, not waging war and genocide,” Massie said.
Massie lost his primary to Republican Kentucky congressional candidate Ed Gallrein, who received support from the pro-Israel lobby. Those lobbyists, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), spent over $9 million in mostly independent expenditures to help Gallrein win.
AIPAC congratulated Gallrein on his victory and said they were “proud” to support pro-Israel candidates.
Dear Readers: As a nonprofit, we are dependent on the generosity of our readers. Please consider making a small donation of any amount here. Thank you!
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
