It Took Just One Vote For Dem Civil War To Breakout

Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to cut off aid to Israel Wednesday caused a major divide among House Democrats.

Massie introduced an amendment to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 that would slash $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel. Over 100 Democrats voted for the amendment, while House Democrat leadership and dozens of other Democratic lawmakers voted against it.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a “Dear Colleague” letter Tuesday informing his caucus that he would vote against the amendment. He said Democrats would not whip the vote because Republicans were trying to “weaponize” the amendment.

“In my view, there are more decisive ways to achieve the urgent change necessary when it comes to the far-right Netanyahu government,” Jeffries wrote. “Republican leaders are desperately trying to weaponize an amendment they do not support for nakedly partisan reasons. However, given the strongly held views throughout the Caucus in this important area of foreign policy, we are not whipping this vote.”

Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar voted against the amendment. Democratic Reps. Ami Bera of California, Shontel Brown of Ohio and eight other Democrats voted “present.”

During a phone call in June, Democrats could not reach an agreement on how to handle the amendment, with some arguing that the party should support Israel less. Far-left and progressive Democrats argued that Israel committed “genocide” in Gaza and engaged in ethnic cleansing, prompting them to oppose military aid, while center-left Democrats supported security support for Israel.