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Massie Pushes $3.3B Israel Aid Cut, Democrats Split

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced an amendment to H.R. 8595 to cut $3.3 billion from aid to Israel, prompting a split.
Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez support it while Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz oppose it.
Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Sara Jacobs say draft is poor and could cut embassy funding.
Pew poll shows 80 % of Democrats and independents view Israel unfavorably, up from 69 % in 2025.

History

Historical Context

During the October 1973 Yom Kippur War, President Richard Nixon ordered a $2.2 billion emergency arms lift for Israel, a move backed by Henry Kissinger and approved by Congress despite Saudi warnings of an oil embargo. That aid forged a lasting U.S.–Israel military bond, which Rep. Thomas Massie now seeks to cut by $3.3 billion, echoing the 1973 precedent.

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Story summary

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced an amendment to H.R. 8595 to cut $3.3 billion from aid to Israel, prompting a split.
Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez support it while Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz oppose it.
Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Sara Jacobs say draft is poor and could cut embassy funding.
Pew poll shows 80 % of Democrats and independents view Israel unfavorably, up from 69 % in 2025.

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