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PoliticsPelosi votes to cut $3.3B in Israel military aid, joined by over 100 House Democrats
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, historically a staunch supporter of US aid to Israel, voted on Wednesday for an amendment proposed by Representative Thomas Massie to slash nearly $3.3 billion in military funding for Israel. She was joined by 103 House Democrats, including House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and several ranking committee members, marking what Politico called a 'seismic shift' in Democratic Party stance on Israel-Palestine policy. The amendment, attached to a broader national security spending bill, was ultimately defeated by a bipartisan House majority of 314 votes. However, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar hailed the vote as 'enormous progress' and a victory for the movement for peace and justice. The article notes that some Democrats like Haley Stevens, Angie Craig, Wesley Bell, and Greg Stanton still voted against the cut, drawing criticism from their primary rivals. Pelosi stated that US policy must change for the good of both Israelis and Palestinians, citing public demand to end the cycle of war and the Netanyahu government's current course.
Source report
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, long one of the most vocal supporters of U.S. aid to Israel, voted Wednesday to slash that aid—joining 103 House Democrats and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie in supporting an amendment to cut nearly $3.3 billion in funding for Israel.
The vote included House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) and ranking Democrats on several key committees, signaling a significant evolution in the party's stance on Israel aid.
A Changing Political Landscape
The shift reflects growing pressure from Democratic base voters, who have increasingly opposed continued support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government amid widespread accusations of genocide during its multiyear military campaign in Gaza.
"For the good of the Israeli people and the Palestinian people, it is clear that US policy must change," Pelosi said. "The United States must be a force for security and stability. The American people are rightly demanding an end to a perpetual cycle of war, and the Netanyahu government cannot maintain its current course."
'Seismic Shift' in Congress
While a bipartisan House majority of 314 members opposed the amendment—which sought to block foreign military aid from a broader national security spending bill—Politico described the size of the "yes" vote as a "seismic shift" on issues related to Israel and Palestine.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar echoed that assessment.
"It used to be that just a small number of House Democrats would vote against sending taxpayer dollars to weapons for the Israeli military," Casar said Wednesday. "Then, two years ago, 37 House Democrats voted for a measure to not send billions of dollars to the Israeli military. Today, over 100 House Democrats voted for a measure to block billions of dollars in weapons to Netanyahu. That is enormous progress. That is a victory for our movement for security, peace and justice for all people."
"That sends a strong message to Netanyahu that the days are over of an unaccountable blank check to his wars and his war crimes—at least from the Democratic Party," Casar added.
Contrast with Other Democrats
Despite the growing opposition, some Democrats—including Haley Stevens, Angie Craig, Wesley Bell, and Greg Stanton—continue to vote in favor of unrestricted aid. Their primary challengers have publicly criticized those votes.
Source
Article | The NationWestern
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House Democrats Split on Massie Amendment to Cut Israel Aid