MASSIEFLIX

Massie Amendment to Cut Off U.S. Aid to Israel

Jul 15, 2026 · 11:27 israelforeign-aidspendingfloor-speechmilitary

Massie offers a floor amendment to strike $3.3B in aid to Israel — more than the U.S. spends on homeless veterans. Only Republican yes; over 100 Democrats join. Failed 104–314, but put the Democratic split on the record.

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Chapters

  1. 0:00 Strike $3.3 billion
  2. 1:14 Opposition: ally and industry
  3. 4:10 Military-industrial complex
  4. 4:48 Castro: Israel doesn't deserve it
  5. 7:00 Hoyer and the two-state argument
  6. 10:30 Closing: all foreign aid, supply chains

Transcript

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  1. Madam Chair, uh my amendment is simple. It strikes $3.3 billion of foreign aid to the country of Israel from the State
  2. Department funding uh bill. You know, we've got $39.4 trillion of debt. We've got needs at
  3. home, which include our infrastructure, our roads and bridges. We've got a shortfall in that fund. We've got our locks and dams that we're perpetually
  4. trying to figure out what new funding mechanisms to come up with. And we've got homeless veterans. And we're sending more money to Israel in this bill than
  5. we spend on homeless veterans in this country. Just to put it in perspective, there are 3,000 counties in this country. And if you divide that into 3
  6. billion, that's a million dollars from every county. This is not a significant amount of money that is going overseas. So, I think we should uh stop it. We
  7. should put them on a diet. They're the biggest welfare recipient of the United States. And have been for many years. $310 billion has been received uh by
  8. Israel from the taxpayers of the United States. That's in inflation-adjusted dollars since we've been giving the money. And that's why I think this amendment is important, and I reserve
  9. the balance of my time. >> The gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from Florida seek recognition?
  10. >> Madam Chairwoman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. >> The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. >> Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. As chairman
  11. of this subcommittee since 2023, I'm proud uh to be a leader in this body in providing unwavering support
  12. to our friend and ally, Israel. Especially especially after the October 7th terrorist attack.
  13. The $3.3 billion in foreign military financing for Israel included it this bill, supports American, our
  14. national security interests overseas. You see the same terrorists and terrorist entities that threaten Israel
  15. also threaten the United States and our people directly. You see, when we give Israel the tools and capabilities to
  16. eliminate these terrorist threats and to protect our homeland, by the way, including the many Americans who visit it and live there, we are making America
  17. and the American people safer. The United States and Israel have worked together on successful military operations
  18. like those in the past year to decimate Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities. And Israel is also using the
  19. overwhelming overwhelming majority of this funding to actually purchase American-made
  20. weaponry. So, it actually helps our defense industrial base and our economy.
  21. And we've worked together extensively on developing military capabilities and other capabilities. Because of these advancements for mutual interest and for
  22. our mutual security, there is currently a discussion, frankly, of moving to a new security partnership with Israel after the fiscal year 2028.
  23. Now, just to be clear, the assistance in this bill for fiscal year 2027 is under the terms of the existing MOU, memorandum of understanding, which
  24. runs for two more fiscal years. This does not, in any way, prejudge the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
  25. This is about fulfilling our commitment to one of our closest and most important allies
  26. that we have in the entire world at a time when terrorists are butchering people around the world.
  27. And we made that commitment because it makes the American people our country stronger. So, I urge defeat of the amendment and I reserve the balance of
  28. my time. >> The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from Kentucky. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I I heard a common refrain in my colleagues
  29. arguments there that oh, don't worry. All this money is going to the military industrial complex. Well, I've got a problem with that.
  30. That's not a sustainable economy. Uh buying weapons and letting people use them overseas on other people, particularly often times innocent
  31. civilians. And I'm not compelled by the argument that we our job is to be here and enrich the military industrial complex, now called the defense industrial base. With
  32. that, I would like to yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, Mr. Castro from Texas. >> The gentleman is recognized. >> Uh Madam Speaker,
  33. Israel does not need and quite honestly, does not deserve more American money for weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken
  34. Israel down an ugly path. The tragedy of October 7th has become a justification for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
  35. Self-defense does not include indiscriminately bombing homes, hospitals, churches, schools, or refugee camps.
  36. There were even credible reports of children intentionally shot in the head and chest. For decades, our nation gave Israel
  37. billions to facilitate peace and a two-state solution. Instead, Israel has chosen more war and more occupation.
  38. Today, it occupies not only Gaza and the West Bank, but parts of Syria and Lebanon. If there are no consequences, why in the
  39. world would Benjamin Netanyahu change what he's doing? And words are not enough. Condemnations are not enough. If we hope to change Israel's behavior,
  40. we must use our leverage. The American people have seen this tragedy with their own eyes. They have made their judgment.
  41. They do not support giving Israel more weapons. Do not reward a wrongdoer. Now it's up to us
  42. in this chamber to take action. I support this amendment and I yield back. >> I now recognize gentleman from Kentucky.
  43. >> Uh may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining? >> The gentleman has a minute and a half remaining. >> I reserve.
  44. >> The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from Florida is recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. When I yield uh to the distinguished ranking member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from
  45. Florida, Ms. Frankel. For 1 minute. >> The gentlewoman is recognized.
  46. >> Should I yield to Okay. >> [clears throat] >> I thank you, Mr. Chair. I I I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment. Maintaining stability in the
  47. Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest, and what happens there affects our economy, our national security, the safety of
  48. American service members. And as written, this amendment is overbroad in that it prohibits or could limit the use of funds for long-standing initiatives
  49. related to peacebuilding, refugee settlement, and US Embassy operations. And this amendment will restrict our country's ability to confront Iran's
  50. proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations in the region, who are sworn enemies of the United States, Israel, and our allies. A
  51. 10-minute debate is not the way to change policy as we as we have a mission of peace and prosperity both for
  52. Israelis and Palestinians and peace in the region. Yield back. The money yields back.
  53. Gentleman from Florida. I would like now to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Hoyer.
  54. Gentleman from Florida. Maryland. You're recognized. >> I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend.
  55. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment, which would dangerously undermine American American national
  56. security. If If adopted, it would, as Leader Jeffries rightly pointed out, limit our ability to confront terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah
  57. that expressly target American citizens and military personnel. And it would make it harder for America to use our relationships with Israel and
  58. regional partners to promote a negotiated two-state settlement. The only realistic path to deliver on
  59. the promise of peace, security, and self-determination for both Israel and Palestine. I understand the frustration of many
  60. members feel some of the policies and actions of the current Israeli government, as well as their concerns about its commitment to the peace process and a two-state solution.
  61. However, this amendment would embolden the enemies of peace, those pursuing the complete elimination
  62. of Israel and who those who seek the death of Jews. It is vote to weaken in ability to engage in the region, and it's a vote
  63. against American security, against American interest, and against American safety. Vote no.
  64. >> The gentleman, I now recognize the gentleman from Florida. >> Um
  65. let me just very briefly conclude. As I said before, this bill I've said it many times. If you're an ally and a friend of the United States, this bill uh
  66. this bill supports you, but if you're an adversary, this you're not going to like this bill. We have no stronger ally than the state of Israel. Uh this is our commitment under the MOU,
  67. which is why I respectfully, but very strongly, very strongly oppose uh this amendment. Uh and with that, I would uh I would yield back.
  68. >> The gentleman yields. Gentleman from Kentucky. >> And with that, I would like to close by saying that Israel has the strongest economy in the Middle East. Their debt
  69. per GDP is in much better shape than ours. They don't need our money. In fact, they've claimed recently they want to get off of the welfare. But I'm concerned that the other funding
  70. mechanisms they're talking about or commingling our technology and supply chains will have even less transparency than what's going on here today. So, I'm
  71. opposed to that as well. I'm opposed to all foreign aid. I didn't pick on Israel here. I've offered an amendment to defund Egypt and also to
  72. defund the aid to uh Jordan, which we'll talk about in a little bit. But I am particularly concerned this year about the foreign aid to Israel. There have
  73. been 70,000 casualties in Gaza, and I don't think we should be part of that. American taxpayers should not be conscripted into funding the military
  74. adventures of Israel. And I urge adoption of my amendment, and with that, I yield back. >> The gentleman