ByJOSEPH STRAUSS/JTA

JULY 15, 2026 05:25

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries announced he plans to oppose Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's amendment aimed at reducing military funding for Israel.

In a letter sent to Democratic House colleagues on Tuesday, however, he stated that American policy in the Middle East requires adjustment.

Jeffries, the New York congressman serving as Minority House Leader, described Massie's amendment - which targets $3.3 billion in military aid and faces a floor vote on Wednesday - as overly broad. He noted it could limit efforts to address threats from Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist groups opposing both the United States and Israel.

The letter also showed that Jeffries, whose moderate pro-Israel position has drawn criticism from some left-leaning Democrats seeking his removal as leader, is attuned to evolving views on Israel among Democratic voters and officials.

A meaningful shift in approach is required, Jeffries wrote.

Jeffries notes good faith reasons for varied votes on the measure

Jeffries indicated he would not direct colleagues on their votes and acknowledged good faith reasons that could lead members to decide differently on the amendment.

The $3.3 billion in question forms part of the $3.8 billion the US provides Israel each year under a 10-year memorandum of understanding signed during the Obama administration and set to expire in 2028. Israel uses this support to acquire American-made weapons and equipment. Massie's amendment would eliminate all allocated aid except the $500 million reserved for missile defense systems like Iron Dome.

Minority Leader Jeffries opposes the Massie-Khanna amendment to reduce $3 billion in aid to Israel yet allows party members to follow their own judgment, Massie posted on X. My conscience is clear. I will vote against using American tax dollars to fund genocide.

Although Jeffries rejects the amendment, his letter proposed that the subsequent MOU starting in 2028 exclude military subsidies.

Israel maintains an advanced economy and can fund its own advanced weapons systems, as the Prime Minister has recently recognized, Jeffries wrote. Calls to end US military aid to Israel have emerged from segments of the American left as well as from the Israeli government and certain American conservatives.

Netanyahu seeks to transition Israel's military aid relationship with the US to partnership

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated plans to gradually reduce US military aid to Israel over the remaining two years of the Trump administration, moving the US-Israel relationship from aid to partnership.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away suddenly this week, had supported the concept. He stated in January a desire to accelerate Israel's move toward self-sufficiency by ending reliance on US military aid.

Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, posted on X last month that the next MOU between the countries ends aid and will be based on trade.

Several progressive Democrats critical of Israel, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas Rep. Greg Casar, have indicated they will support Massie's measure despite worries about impacts beyond military spending.

I recognize the amendment as written may affect both military weapons funding of about $3.3 billion and some diplomatic funding of around $50 million, Casar posted on X. While I would favor an amendment limited to military funding, opposing the billions in military support remains the priority.

The Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, stated that Democratic leadership overlooked voters who increasingly seek an end to US military aid for Israel. They have missed another chance to align with voters, and without a course correction they risk repeating the errors of 2024 in 2028, said Margaret DeReus, the group's executive director.

New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, Congress's most senior Jewish member, told The Hill last month that he opposes the amendment and called it poorly drafted. He noted it could lead to unintended effects such as cutting funds for US Embassy operations in the country. Democratic Reps. Greg Meeks and Adam Smith have also announced plans to vote against it.

Pro-Israel Democratic representatives praise Jeffries for resisting party's pro-Palestinian faction

Following Jeffries's announcement of his no vote during a closed-door caucus meeting on Tuesday, pro-Israel Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Richard Neal praised him for resisting the party's expanding pro-Palestinian wing, Axios reported.

Brian Romick, CEO of the pro-Israel group Democratic Majority for Israel, issued a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency expressing disagreement with some points in Jeffries's letter but appreciation for his opposition to the amendment and encouragement for other Democrats to do the same.

While we do not agree with every policy outlined in Jeffries's letter, we appreciate his commitment to ensuring that America's support for Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state remains ironclad, Romick wrote. He did not specify areas of disagreement.

AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group that has endorsed Jeffries and faces widespread unpopularity among Democrats, told JTA it supports Jeffries's vote against Massie's reckless amendment but did not comment on his remarks regarding the next MOU.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal group J Street, which also endorsed Jeffries, wrote that J Street supports Jeffries's decision and views the amendment as an effort by Republican leadership to divide Democrats rather than foster serious debate on US policy. He also expressed support for members planning to vote in favor, noting it provides one of the few recorded votes to express opposition to the Israeli government's use of American military assistance.