The House Rules Committee on Monday blocked a bipartisan amendment introduced by Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) to cut U.S. funding to Israel. The amendment sought to remove Section 219 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandates deeper U.S.-Israel military technology cooperation. The committee’s decision prevents the measure from advancing to a full House vote.
The blocked amendment would have eliminated $3.3 billion in funding for Israel, reducing overall spending in the bill. The proposal sparked intense debate within the Democratic caucus, with leadership urging members to vote based on their conscience. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) described the discussions as unprecedented, noting deep divisions over Israel’s policies and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
Younger Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have increasingly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, with some accusing the country of genocide. A March Pew survey found that 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents held an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 69% in 2025 and 53% in 2022. The survey was conducted after joint U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran.
The blocked amendment highlights growing tensions within the Democratic Party over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly as progressive lawmakers push for stricter conditions on military aid to Israel.