A Record Number of House Democrats Vote to Cut Military Aid to Israel — Massie's Amendment Fails, 104–314

The Issue

The U.S. House voted on an amendment introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to eliminate $3.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel from the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (SFOPS). The amendment failed, 104–314, with 10 members voting present — but not before a record 103 House Democrats broke to vote yes (more than the 98 Democrats who voted no), a shift members on both sides called historic. The only Republican to vote yes was Massie himself.

Republicans voted against the amendment nearly as a bloc, framing continued aid as essential to national security and to the U.S. alliance with what many called America's "strongest democratic ally" in the Middle East. Democrats fractured openly: progressives and a growing number of moderates voted yes, citing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, what they called human-rights violations by Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, and an end to "unconditional" aid — while 98 Democrats crossed over to help defeat it.

The vote also carried a procedural wrinkle. Several Democrats who say they oppose unconditional aid nonetheless voted no, arguing the amendment was "poorly drafted" and would also have stripped $54 million in aid to Palestinians. The underlying SFOPS appropriations bill passed regardless. Notably, the amendment's author is a libertarian-leaning Republican who says he would "cut it all" — he offered parallel amendments targeting aid to Egypt and Jordan.

Verifiable Claims:

• The House voted 314–104–10 against the amendment to cut off assistance to Israel - stated by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
• 104 members of Congress voted against military funding for Israel - stated by Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL)
• 98 Democrats voted with Republicans to defeat the measure - stated by Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-NJ)
• The amendment would have stripped $3.3 billion in funding to Israel and, because it was poorly drafted, would also have stripped $54M in aid to Palestinians - stated by Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)
• Because the amendment failed, the $54M to the Palestinians was not cut off, though the larger SFOPS bill still passed - stated by Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)
• Massie offered amendments to cut aid to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan; a vote on Egypt was not allowed but votes on Jordan and Israel proceeded - stated by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
• Democratic party leadership publicly opposed the amendment - stated by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
• Rep. McGovern led a statement with 25 colleagues voting YES on the amendment - stated by Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
• If enacted, the measure would prevent the U.S. from financing and selling attack aircraft, bombs, missiles, and targeting systems to Israel - stated by Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
• Rep. Bera voted "present" on the amendment - stated by Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)

Opinions & Characterizations:

• "Shameful. Democrats are voting to abandon America's closest ally in the world's most dangerous region. I voted NO on cutting aid to Israel." - Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)
• "America will continue to stand with our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East." - Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
• "Israel stands as our frontline against jihadists… Weakening our ally weakens America. Democrats keep proving they cannot be trusted on national security." - Rep. Lisa C. McClain (R-MI)
• "The Massie amendment sends a clear signal to the enemies of America that we are willing to abandon our allies and our own security. I stood against this anti-Israel, pro-terror amendment." - Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who crossed over to vote no
• "Today, I voted against an amendment that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Israel – including funds for humanitarian aid, peacebuilding programs, and refugee resettlement." - Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), who voted no
• "Proud of my colleagues who voted to stop funding Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people." - Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
• "I just voted to block sending $3.3 billion of our taxpayer dollars to Netanyahu's government… I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don't want their support." - Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-NY)
• "Today over 100 Democrats voted for the Massie Amendment to zero aid to Israel. My brother @RepBowman & @CoriBush lost their seats for this stand 2 years ago… Today I want to recognize their courage." - Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
• "I voted yes on the Massie Amendment because I cannot in good conscience vote to have US taxpayers subsidize Netanyahu's wars… I will continue to support defensive armaments, including components for Iron Dome, to Israel, which are not affected by this." - Rep. Dave Min (D-CA)

TL;DR:

Republicans voted against the Massie amendment nearly unanimously, framing it as an "anti-Israel," "pro-terror" measure that would abandon a key ally — even though its author, Rep. Thomas Massie, is a Republican. Democrats split dramatically: 103 voted yes — more than the 98 who voted no, and a record — accounting for all but one of the 104 total "yes" votes (the lone Republican yes was Massie himself), while 10 Democrats voted present. Some "no" votes came from members who still support Israel; others, like Rep. Sean Casten, objected that the amendment was poorly drafted and would also have cut $54M in aid to Palestinians. The amendment failed 104–314; the underlying appropriations bill passed.