U.S. House Rejects Bill to End $3.3 Billion in Aid to Israel Amid Growing Democratic Support

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overnight (Wednesday–Thursday) to reject a bill that sought to end American aid to Israel. The proposal was introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who called for eliminating the approximately $3.3 billion in military assistance scheduled to be provided to Israel next year.

The measure failed by a vote of 314 against and 104 in favor. Of those supporting the bill, 103 were Democrats, along with Massie, a member of President Donald Trump's Republican Party.

Among Democrats, supporters of ending the aid actually outnumbered those who voted against the proposal and in favor of maintaining assistance to Israel.

Virtually every Republican lawmaker voted against the measure, with the sole exception of its sponsor, Massie. By comparison, a similar proposal introduced two years ago was defeated by a much wider margin, with only 37 Democrats voting to end aid to Israel.

Speaking on the House floor, Massie argued: "The United States sends more money to Israel than it spends on homeless veterans here at home. We need to stop this. We need a diet. Israelis have unofficially become America's largest welfare recipients."

The strong Democratic support for the proposal reflects a significant shift within the party regarding Israel and the war in Gaza. Congressman Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, urged fellow progressives to support the bill. In a letter to colleagues, Casar wrote that the American people are "crying out to end taxpayer dollars that subsidize the Israeli military."

The vote also exposed divisions within the Democratic leadership. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries voted against the proposal, while Assistant Democratic Leader Katherine Clark, the party's second-ranking House Democrat, voted in favor of ending the aid.