On Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 314 to 104 to reject an amendment that would have cut $3.3 billion in planned military aid to Israel. The amendment, introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, aimed to halt funding largely designated for Israel's military.

Notably, more than 100 House Democrats—nearly half of the 212-member caucus—voted in favor of the measure, marking a significant rebuke of Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This shift reflects growing dissatisfaction within the party following the October 7th attacks and Israel's subsequent invasion of Gaza, which some international investigations have characterized as genocide.

The vote exposed divisions among House Democrats. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and caucus chair Pete Aguilar opposed the amendment, with Jeffries describing it as "overly broad" in a letter to members but refraining from actively persuading others against it due to "strongly held views throughout the caucus in this important area of foreign policy."

Conversely, House Democratic whip Katherine Clark supported the amendment, stating, "it is clear that the status quo is not tenable." Robert Garcia, the Democratic ranking member on the oversight committee, criticized Netanyahu, calling him a "corrupt authoritarian who should face criminal courts—not receive billions more for weapons."

Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, encouraged members to back the amendment, asserting, "The American people are crying out for an end to US tax dollars subsidizing Israel’s military."

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, a liberal pro-Israel and pro-peace group, described the Democratic support for the amendment as "a turning point," despite his organization's opposition to the measure as a "political stunt."

The vote underscores the complex and evolving attitudes within the Democratic Party toward U.S. support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and ahead of the November midterm elections.

Sources