Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and 103 other Democrats voted this week to slash nearly $3.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel. The amendment, offered by Representative Thomas Massie, failed by a wide margin.
The vote took place on July 16 as part of a larger national security spending bill. A total of 104 members supported the measure while 314 opposed it, with ten members voting present.
Pelosi said the United States must become “a force for security and stability” and that “the American people are rightly demanding an end to a perpetual cycle of war.” Representative Greg Casar called the tally “enormous progress” for advocates seeking to limit weapons shipments to the Netanyahu government.
Representative Adam Smith, ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, also backed the amendment after previously stating he would oppose it. Smith cited recent protests at his home and office in explaining the shift.
Several Democratic primary challengers criticized incumbents who voted against the cuts, highlighting the issue in upcoming races scheduled for August.
