Republican Rep. Thomas Massie proposed an amendment to cut $3.3 billion in US military aid to Israel as part of the State Department appropriations bill. The aid primarily supports Israel's purchase of American-made weapons, benefitting the US industrial base [1].
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top House Democrats opposed the amendment, calling it overly broad and warning it would hamper humanitarian aid and counterterrorism efforts against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah [2, 3, 1]. Jeffries said the amendment was being used by Republicans for partisan purposes, adding, "In my view, there are more decisive ways to achieve the urgent change necessary when it comes to the far-right Netanyahu government. Republican leaders are desperately trying to weaponize an amendment they do not support for nakedly partisan reasons" [3].
Despite opposition from Jeffries and 97 other Democrats, the House voted 313-104 in July to reject the amendment. The vote exposed divisions within the Democratic Party, with 102 Democrats supporting the aid cut and 10 voting present [1].
Supporters of the amendment argue the cut is needed amid growing criticism of Israel's policies and rising pro-Palestinian sentiment in Democratic primaries, with incumbents losing in New York and Colorado and contests still upcoming in Michigan and Missouri [2]. Opponents counter that US assistance is critical for national security in the Middle East and helps combat terrorist threats to both the US and Israel. Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said, "When we give Israel the tools and capabilities to eliminate these terrorist threats … we are making America and the American people safer" [1].
Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar said, "It’s clear that the Netanyahu administration has done everything they can to isolate Israel, and we need to ensure that we are building more friends in the region, not having fewer" [2]. Meanwhile, former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer added the amendment would "embolden the enemies of peace, those pursuing the complete elimination of Israel and those who seek the death of Jews" [1].
Since October 7, 2023, more than 73,000 victims, mostly women and children, have died in the Gaza conflict, with international commissions accusing Israel's government of genocide [3]. Jeffries called for a major reset of US-Israel relations focusing on human rights and establishing a Palestinian state [2, 3].
The House debate highlights the bitter internal struggle among Democrats over US policy on Israel. The vote to reject the Massie amendment stands as the most recent formal congressional decision on this issue.
