Massie Says ‘Opinions Are Shifting’ In The US On Israel, Despite Democrat Leadership Unease With Amendment Stripping Aid

Interesting foreign aid, hakeem jeffries, israel, kentucky, thomas massie admin July 17, 2026 0 Comments

Massie Says ‘Opinions Are Shifting’ In The US On Israel, Despite Democrat Leadership Unease With Amendment Stripping Aid

Republican Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie says “opinions are shifting” in the United States after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries signaled unease on the Israeli aid amendment.

When asked about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ decision to oppose his amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel and whether he believes it has enough support to pass, Massie wrote to the Daily Caller that he does not expect the measure to be approved. However, the congressman did signal that he believes there is increasing support — both inside and outside Congress — for ending aid to Israel. (RELATED: Democratic Party Establishment Facing Reckoning After Far-Leftists Win Power)

“I don’t expect the amendment to pass, but I do expect to get significantly more votes than when we voted on this last year, because opinions are shifting in the United States, and even among elected leaders,” he wrote to the Caller.

Jeffries shared his stance in a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to House Democrats Tuesday before reiterating his opposition to the measure during a morning meeting with members of his caucus, which was first reported by the New York Times.

Massie’s amendment to the fiscal 2027 State Department and foreign assistance spending bill has deepened divisions among House Democrats as lawmakers prepare for a possible vote in the coming days, according to a Politico report.

While progressive members have called for cutting off U.S. aid to Israel, Democrats aligned with leadership have raised concerns that the proposal could also impact humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza.

Jeffries pushed back on the amendment, arguing it is “overly broad in that it prohibits or would limit the use of funds for longstanding initiatives related to humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building and U.S. Embassy operations.” He also said the measure could weaken U.S. efforts to counter Hamas. (RELATED: Thomas Massie Introduces Bill Forcing AIPAC To Register As Foreign Agent)

Until Tuesday, Jeffries had not publicly instructed House Democrats on how he planned to vote on Massie’s amendment, although he had previously suggested he had reservations about the proposal.

Last month, he convened two extended caucus meetings where Democrats discussed the measure.

During one of the phone calls, Democrats could not reach an agreement on how to handle the amendment that would slash $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel, with some arguing that the party should support Israel less. (RELATED: Thomas Massie Triggers House Democrats’ Circular Firing Squad Over Israel Aid)

Progressive Democrats have long opposed military aid to Israel, accusing the country of committing atrocities in Gaza, while more moderate Democrats argued Israel has a right to defend itself.

Members of the New Democrat Coalition and several Jewish lawmakers opposed Massie’s amendment, with Democrat Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro warning it could also restrict aid to Palestinians.

In his Tuesday letter, Jeffries said Democratic leadership would not whip votes on the amendment, writing that there are “good faith reasons that will result in Members voting in a variety of different ways.”

Jeffries also addressed the broader U.S.-Israel relationship, arguing that “a meaningful change in direction is needed,” particularly as a 10-year security assistance agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama approaches its expiration.