More than 100 House Democrats voted on Wednesday to slash $3.3 billion in planned military aid to Israel, a significant rebuke of the longtime ally as internal party divisions over the Gaza war intensify ahead of the midterm elections.
The amendment, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, was defeated in a 104-314 vote.
However, the 103 Democratic representatives who supported it represent nearly half of the party's 212-member House caucus.
Democratic Leaders Split on the Measure
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the amendment but did not lobby other Democrats to vote against it.
In a letter to lawmakers, he called the Republican proposal "overly broad" and said he would allow members to vote their conscience due to the deeply divided opinions on the issue.
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, the second-highest-ranking Democrat, supported the amendment while expressing concerns about its broad execution.
"It is clear that the status quo is not tenable.
We should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not comply with US law, interests, and values," Clark said.
She added that the Netanyahu government has failed to meet that standard.
Clark also criticized the legislative tactics of the opposition, arguing the proposal was designed to avoid meaningful policy debate.
"This is not an attempt to have a serious and necessary debate about offensive military aid to Israel.
It’s more stunts from Congressional Republicans who would rather score cheap political points than lead," she said.
Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the oversight committee, also backed the measure and strongly criticized Israeli leadership.
"Netanyahu, like Donald Trump, is a corrupt authoritarian who should face criminal courts–not receive billions more for weapons," Garcia said.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar urged his colleagues to support the aid reduction in a letter sent before the vote.
"The American people are crying out for an end to US tax dollars subsidizing Israel’s military," Casar said.
Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, historically a staunch supporter of Israel, also broke ranks to vote in favor.
She called the amendment an "unfortunate choice" but emphasized that voting yes was necessary to signal dissatisfaction with the current conflict.
"The United States must be a force for security and stability.
The American people are rightly demanding an end to a perpetual cycle of war, and the Netanyahu government cannot maintain its current course.
Therefore, while this amendment is ill-conceived, I vote yes for the message that it sends," Pelosi said.
Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal pro-Israel group J Street, described the vote as a "political stunt" but noted that the substantial Democratic support represents a "turning point."
He said the vote signals a permanent change in how the Democratic party approaches foreign policy toward Israel.
"Today’s vote reflects the emerging consensus in the party – the debate will no longer be about whether US policy should change, but rather how it must change," Ben-Ami said.
The legislative rebellion coincides with shifts in primary elections, where progressive candidates challenging traditional aid to Israel have unseated several incumbents in states like New York and Colorado.
