WASHINGTON—A sharp shift in U.S. public opinion on the Israel-Gaza war was reflected in a closely watched House vote this week, as more than 100 Democrats backed an unsuccessful effort to eliminate U.S. military aid to Israel, exposing deepening divisions within the party over a longstanding pillar of American foreign policy.
The House voted 314-104 on Wednesday to reject an amendment offered by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky that would have removed approximately $3.3 billion in annual U.S. security assistance to Israel from a State Department appropriations bill. The measure failed with broad bipartisan opposition, but it drew support from 103 Democrats and Massie himself, marking one of the largest congressional showings against military aid to Israel in recent years.
The vote came as recent national surveys indicated growing public skepticism, particularly among Democratic voters, over U.S. support for Israel during the nearly three-year conflict in Gaza. An AP-NORC survey found that a majority of Democrats now believe the United States is too supportive of Israel, while a Pew Research Center survey reported increasingly negative views of the Israeli government and Israeli people among Americans, especially younger Democrats.
House Democratic leaders were divided on the amendment. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the proposal, arguing it was too broad because it could affect humanitarian and other longstanding U.S. programs, while House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark voted in favor. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also supported the amendment. Democratic leaders did not instruct members to vote as a bloc, allowing lawmakers to vote according to their own judgment.
Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the amendment, maintaining their party's strong backing for continued military assistance to Israel. The proposal would also have faced significant hurdles in the Senate and would likely have encountered opposition from President Donald Trump's administration even if it had cleared the House.
The debate highlighted how Israel policy has become an increasingly prominent issue in Democratic primary campaigns, with progressive lawmakers and challengers pressing for restrictions or an end to military assistance because of civilian casualties in Gaza, while more centrist Democrats have generally continued to support aid, particularly for defensive purposes.
The broader State Department appropriations legislation remained under congressional consideration following the amendment vote.
