Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) argued Thursday that the strong Democratic support for his amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel reflects a broader change in political attitudes, both among the public and within Congress. The Kentucky Republican was the sole GOP lawmaker to back the measure, which aimed to remove $3.3 billion in military assistance from the State Department appropriations bill.
“I was the only Republican to say that, you know, ‘Yes, we need to not send American tax dollars overseas,’” Massie said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “And I think it’s a sign of shifting perceptions, not just among Americans, but also among their elected leaders here in Washington, D.C.”
The amendment failed overwhelmingly, 104-314, but the vote provided a clear snapshot of the Democratic Party’s internal struggle over Israel policy. A total of 103 Democrats voted in favor, 98 opposed, and 10 voted present. The near-even split underscores how the war in Gaza—which has drawn accusations of genocide against Israel—is reshaping political dynamics within the party, particularly as the activist base pushes for a break from decades of unwavering support.
Massie’s move was widely seen as a symbolic show vote, but it served as a litmus test for Democrats facing growing pressure from progressive voters. The issue has become a flashpoint in the party, with some lawmakers warning that abandoning Israel could alienate moderate and Jewish voters. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), for instance, has drawn a line on the issue, threatening to leave the party if it abandons the U.S. ally.
“Though my amendment to strike $3.3 billion in aid to Israel from the State Dept bill did not pass, 104 House Members voted in favor of it. The tide is changing. Americans want their tax dollars to be spent improving things here at home, not waging war and genocide,” Massie posted on X after the vote.
The vote comes as the House is narrowly divided, and narrow Democratic majorities could empower the left-wing faction that is increasingly skeptical of foreign military aid. The debate over Israel aid is also playing out against a backdrop of broader tensions over U.S. foreign policy, including debates over aid to Ukraine and Taiwan.
Massie’s amendment attracted support from a coalition of progressive Democrats and a handful of libertarian-leaning Republicans, but the vast majority of the GOP conference opposed it. The lopsided Republican opposition reflects the party’s traditional stance as a staunch ally of Israel, though some conservatives have begun to question the scale of U.S. foreign aid.
The vote also highlighted the shifting landscape within the Democratic Party, where the issue of Israel has become a major fault line. While leadership has largely maintained support for the Jewish state, a significant bloc of lawmakers—including members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus—have called for conditioning or cutting aid in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Massie’s assessment that the vote signals a “tide change” may be premature, but the fact that more than 100 House Democrats voted to cut off aid to a longtime ally is a notable departure from past norms. As the war continues and humanitarian concerns mount, the pressure on lawmakers to reassess U.S. support for Israel is unlikely to fade.
