More than 100 House Democrats voted Wednesday for a failed amendment that would have prevented billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Israel, highlighting deepening divisions within the Democratic Party over Washington’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The amendment, offered by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, was rejected 104-314. It was backed by 103 Democrats and one Republican. Ninety-eight Democrats voted no, while 10 voted “present”.
The vote exposed fissures within House Democratic leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California voted against the amendment, while House Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts voted for it.
Progressive lawmakers said the vote was a major shift in the party’s stance. They pointed out that a similar proposal two years ago won support from just 37 House Democrats.
‘The result is indicative of the increasing resistance among members of the party to providing military aid to Israel with no further conditions,’ said Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“This vote sends a strong message to Netanyahu that the days of an unaccountable blank cheque are over,” Casar said after the vote, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Omar, of Minnesota, said she had discussed the vote with Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, calling the outcome one that once seemed unlikely.
House Democratic leaders did not whip members to vote one way or another before the vote, leaving lawmakers to draw their own conclusions after weeks of internal discussions.
Clark, who backed the amendment, criticised its structure, saying it would also halt humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians and refugees in Gaza. "This is not a serious effort to reform U.S. policy," she said in a statement, adding that military aid should not be provided without accountability.
Some Democrats opposed the amendment, saying that Republicans introduced it mainly to increase divisions within the Democratic caucus. “Members were encouraged to vote their conscience,” said Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, who said the proposal had little chance of becoming law.
The vote nonetheless underscored an emerging debate within the Democratic Party over U.S. policy toward Israel. While many lawmakers remain in support of the military assistance, more Democrats are calling for more oversight or conditions on future aid.
“Many Democrats wanted to show support for a change in U.S. policy toward Israel, even if they had reservations about the amendment itself,” said Rep Jared Huffman of California, who voted “present”.
