Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel in an annual appropriations bill failed on the House floor.
The amendment failed 314-104, with 215 Republicans and 98 Democrats voting in opposition. In total, 103 Democrats backed cutting aid alongside Massie, the sole Republican yes vote. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who caucuses with the GOP, voted against the amendment. Overall, 10 House Democrats voted present.
If it had passed, Massie’s amendment would have struck $3 billion of foreign aid to Israel from the annual National Security, Department of State, and related programs appropriations bill.
Massie’s amendment stirred stark divisions in the Democratic Party, for which Israel has become a splintering issue, particularly on the left flank.
Progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar (D-TX), overwhelmingly supported the Kentucky Republican’s proposal.
However, the amendment fractured Democratic leadership. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) voted yes.
Clark’s support for the amendment puts her at odds with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who told Democrats he would vote no on the amendment. Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) also opposed the amendment.
Jeffries previously described the amendment as “overly broad” and said it could limit “humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building, and U.S. embassy operations.”
While Clark voted opposite Jeffries, she echoed his sentiment that Massie’s amendment is too broad, saying it is “not an attempt to have a serious and necessary debate about offensive military aid to Israel.”
NO. 2 HOUSE DEMOCRAT BREAKS WITH JEFFRIES ON ISRAEL AID VOTE
“It’s more stunts from Congressional Republicans who would rather score cheap political points than lead,” she continued.
“I will be voting yes, not because I agree with the entirety of the amendment, or the GOP’s cynical motivations for its consideration, but because I believe we must change course,” Clark wrote. “While Democratic Members will make different decisions on this amendment in good faith, we are absolutely united in our shared goal of permanent peace.”