The vote marked a major shift in the approach of many Democrats in supporting America’s longtime allies fighting both Iran and Hamas.
WASHINGTON – More than 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives have voted in favor of cutting U.S. aid to Israel, highlighting a deepening divide within the party and potentially influencing voting booths in the midterm elections.
The policy failure on Wednesday, July 15, marked a major foreign policy realignment in U.S. politics for a longtime U.S. ally amid violent turmoil in the Middle East, including wars in Gaza and Iran.
The House still overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), an unorthodox fiscal hawk and isolationist. That would cut Israel off from more than $3 billion in U.S. taxpayer aid. The breakdown of the votes was 314 against and 104 in favor (10 members present).
While Republican lawmakers have voiced their opposition to the bill, Democratic lawmakers, even the highest ranking, have openly opposed the bill. Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) voted against the bill, as did Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), a longtime member of the House Democratic leadership.
That idea was at odds with other prominent figures in the party, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and current House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.).
The opposition underscored Democrats’ deep concerns about the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war escalates toward its third anniversary. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the first terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis and foreigners.
“We should not provide blank checks for military aid to countries that do not abide by our laws, interests, and values,” Clark said in a statement ahead of the vote. “Democrats in good faith may make different decisions on this amendment, but we are absolutely united in our common goal of lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, Hoyer said cutting aid to Israel would only make it more difficult to achieve a two-state solution, a goal favored among Democrats.
“I understand that many members of Congress are dissatisfied with some of the policies and actions of the current Israeli government,” Hoyer said on the House floor. “But this amendment will embolden enemies of peace, those seeking the complete elimination of Israel, and those calling for the death of the Jewish people.”
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., said he believes Republicans are simply trying to force a vote on an issue that was sure to fail from the beginning as a “political stunt” ahead of the midterm elections.
“Republican leadership brought this bill to the table not to pass it, but to drive a wedge into the Democratic Party’s moderates and promote Republican advertising that positions our party on the side of those who cry ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel,'” he said.
Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
