House Democrats Shatter Bipartisan Support, Vote to Ax $3.3 Billion in Israel Aid

More than half of House Democrats voted to eliminate $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel, marking a dramatic fracture in what was once unwavering bipartisan support for the nation. This vote comes in the wake of a brutal war in Gaza that has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths.

The vote tally stood at 104-314, failing to attach the amendment to a broader national security spending bill. This outcome starkly illustrates the shifting sentiments within the Democratic Party and the nation regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing military strategy, which is now nearing its third year.

Democratic leadership found itself divided over this contentious issue, viewed as a critical test ahead of the upcoming midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

Over 100 Democrats supported the amendment to cut foreign military aid, while nearly an equal number opposed it. Most Republicans rallied to maintain the aid for Israel.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, despite opposing the measure to eliminate aid, stated that “for the good of Israel and the Palestinian people, American policy in the Middle East must change.”

In a letter to colleagues prior to a private caucus meeting, Jeffries expressed his belief that more decisive actions are necessary to address the far-right Netanyahu government’s policies.

The widening rift over Israel threatens to destabilize the Democratic Party as it confronts an energized left wing advocating for self-identified democratic socialists in key House races, particularly highlighted last month in New York.

While traditional Democrats have historically supported U.S. backing for Israel, an increasing number are distancing themselves from Netanyahu’s approach as the conflict continues following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark from Massachusetts declared her support for withholding funds from Israel.

Republicans have seized this division to depict Democrats as being overtaken by radical left elements, even as House Speaker Mike Johnson grapples with his own internal divisions among Republicans who lean towards reduced foreign military spending.

An AP-NORC poll conducted this month revealed that about one-third of U.S. adults—roughly half of whom are Democrats—believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. This accusation has been made by various human rights organizations and is vehemently denied by both Israel and the U.S. government.

The amendment to cut Israel’s foreign aid was introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican from Kentucky who lost his reelection bid after Donald Trump backed his opponent.

During the floor debate, Massie argued that the $3.3 billion could be better allocated towards domestic needs such as infrastructure and veterans’ services, especially given rising national deficits. He condemned the use of American weapons on “oftentimes innocent civilians.”

“I think we should stop it — we should put them on a diet,” Massie asserted.

Conversely, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, a former party leader, defended longstanding support for Israel and cautioned against withdrawing U.S. aid.

“I rise in strong opposition to this amendment, which would dangerously undermine American national security,” Hoyer stated. He emphasized that cutting aid would hinder the U.S.’s ability to confront terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, which he claimed “expressly target American citizens and military personnel.”

Lawmakers faced pressure from multiple fronts as they gear up for midterm elections this fall.

The influential American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) urged its supporters to contact Congress members to express their opposition to the amendment.

“We must ensure this dangerous amendment is defeated,” AIPAC declared in a statement prior to the vote.

Simultaneously, progressive advocacy group J Street provided lawmakers with more freedom to voice their opinions, as Jeffries did, while opposing the amendment for being poorly drafted and overly broad.

President Jeremy Ben-Ami stated that J Street acknowledges “that, for many Democrats, this is one of the few opportunities to cast a recorded vote expressing opposition to the way American military assistance and American-supplied weapons have been used by the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and elsewhere.”

He added that what unites the majority of Democrats “is far more significant” than this vote as they strive to support “the security and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.”