House Democrats Split as Some Back Amendment to Cut $3.3 Billion in Aid to Israel

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday he would vote against an amendment by Rep. Thomas Massie to halt $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel. Jeffries called the proposal overly broad in a letter to House Democrats and warned it could cut funds for humanitarian programs while complicating efforts against groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The amendment targets legislation funding the State Department and related agencies for fiscal year 2027, which the House is scheduled to consider this week. The United States provides Israel about $3.8 billion annually, including $3.3 billion in foreign military financing and $500 million for missile defense programs. The current 10-year memorandum of understanding expires in 2028.

Jeffries said he would not mount a formal effort to influence his caucus and accused Republican leaders of trying to weaponize the amendment for partisan reasons. -Israel relations that would maintain support for Israel’s existence, advance creation of a Palestinian state, and require the next agreement to adhere strictly to human rights laws. Rep.

Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking House Democrat, said at a press conference that the Netanyahu administration had isolated Israel and that a change in the bilateral relationship was needed. Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote to members that he would vote for the amendment and urged colleagues to join him, stating the Democratic Party needs a new approach to Israel and Palestine.

Three Democratic incumbents lost primaries in recent months to challengers critical of U.S. policy toward Israel. The Guardian reported the statements from Jeffries, Aguilar, and Casar.