Jeffries Opposes Amendment to Cut Off Israel Security Aid

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, that he will oppose a congressional amendment to cut off billions in annual U.S. security assistance to Israel, directly engaging with a policy debate that has created divisions within the Democratic Party. In a letter to House Democrats, Jeffries argued that the amendment, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, would undermine American and Israeli security.

Jeffries stated the measure, attached to the annual State Department and foreign operations appropriations bill, is overly broad. He said it would prohibit or limit funding for longstanding initiatives related to humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peacebuilding, and U.S. Embassy operations. He further contended it would restrict the United States' ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations he described as sworn enemies of both nations.

The amendment has drawn opposition from both the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and J Street, two groups that frequently disagree on policy. AIPAC, in a memo urging lawmakers to oppose the measure, stated that U.S. assistance to Israel has been...