House Democrats Split on Amendment to Bar All Funding to Israel, 103-98

On Wednesday, 103 House Democrats voted in favor of an amendment to a State Department funding bill that would have prohibited any of the money from going to Israel. The amendment, introduced by Rep. ), contained no carveout to preserve non-military diplomatic funding.

Ninety-eight House Democrats voted against it. ) voted against the amendment. A House Democrat involved in efforts to defeat the measure said Jeffries' letter opposing it "made a huge difference" and "picked up like 30 to 40 people" who were on the fence.

The same lawmaker estimated that as many as 150 Democrats might have supported the amendment if Jeffries had not spoken out. Several Democrats who backed the amendment cited shifting attitudes toward Israel over the past year and a desire to send a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. " Rep.

) and Rep. ) both opposed the amendment.