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.
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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.
