WASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW) — A proposal by lame duck U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) to cut off all aid to Israel failed Wednesday by a 104-314 vote in the House of Representatives, with 10 lawmakers voting “present.” Besides Massie, more than 100 Democrats voted in favor of the measure, whereas all other Republicans voted against it.
The Republican Jewish Coalition’s CEO Matt Brooks promptly issued this statement: “The RJC applauds House Republicans for unanimously defeating Thomas Massie’s reckless effort to strip all American aid to Israel from the State Department funding bill. Under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, America has Israel’s back. Today, the GOP-led House of Representatives proved it.
“As the late, great Senator Lindsey Graham said: ‘Antisemitism, anti-Israel rhetoric is not the road [to victory]. You will lose.’ He was proved right again.
“Take a hard look at who lined up behind Massie: 103 Democrats. Make no mistake, Thomas Massie is a voice of one in the Republican Party. He is a lame duck outlier, and the Republican majority left no doubt about where our party stands: resolutely with the Jewish state.
“The contrast could not be clearer. In today’s Democratic Party, vociferous hostility to Israel is not the fringe, it is their future. Democrats’ primaries are sending it to Congress, their leaders are indulging it, and their base is demanding it. Today’s Democratic Party is being shaped in the image of the worst, most radicalized elements of its anti-Israel base, and the Squad’s Hamas Caucus is leading the way.
“Today’s vote reaffirms the longstanding commitment of Republicans to stand unwaveringly with Israel through thick and thin.
“House Republicans ensured that America will stand behind the commitments made in the U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Memorandum of Understanding. We are grateful to President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and every Member who came through for our cherished ally once again.”
Somewhat later, Brian Romick, the President and CEO of the Democratic Majority for Israel, issued this statement:
“The House was right to reject Representative Thomas Massie’s reckless amendment. It would have weakened Israel, emboldened Iran and its terrorist proxies, and undermined American security interests. We thank the House Democrats who voted no, including Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, and Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro.
“Republican leaders should never have brought this sweeping amendment to the floor. It was a naked attempt to drive a wedge within the Democratic Party, and it threatened longstanding funding not only for security assistance, but also humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, and joint programs that benefit Americans, Israelis and Palestinians.
“At the same time, the number of Democrats who supported it sends a loud and clear message. Many said they were expressing deep frustration with the Netanyahu government over settlement expansion, violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, extremists in its coalition, and the devastation in Gaza.
“The Israeli government should not dismiss those concerns. Frankly, this vote should serve as a wake-up call that significant work is needed to repair its relationship with Democrats — not only to preserve bipartisan support in the United States, but also to protect Israel’s long-term security and prosperity.”
“The Massie amendment deserved to fail. But defeating it is not enough. Pro-Israel Americans must rebuild the bipartisan coalition that has sustained the U.S.-Israel alliance and make the case for it to the next generation.”
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SDJW staff report