Khanna and Massie push House vote to cut Israel funding, splitting Democrats

Jul 16, 2026

A House vote to cut all US funding to Israel failed, but a majority of Democrats backed it — a big shift for a party that once stood lockstep with Israel.

  • Massie's amendment to end $3.3 billion in weapons aid to Israel drew 103 Democrats plus Massie, far more than the usual handful such votes get.
  • Nancy Pelosi, long a fierce Israel backer, endorsed it on her way out, while party leader Hakeem Jeffries voted against it — a striking split.
  • The Democratic base overwhelmingly opposes the old pro-Israel line, and races like Zohran Mamdani's are increasingly driven by the Gaza issue, not just affordability.
  • Massie lost his primary to $30 million in pro-Israel lobby money — the most expensive House primary ever — which he says proved how much sway the lobby holds.
  • A new worry: lawmakers may bury Israel aid inside the big military budget so it's no longer a separate line item Congress votes on.

Outlook: Expect even more Democrats to break from Israel aid next Congress, while the issue stays a hard sell to shift among Republicans.

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