Progressive Caucus Leaders Back Bid to Halt $3.3 Billion in Aid to Israel

Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, announced Monday he will vote for the amendment introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie. The measure, attached to an annual State Department appropriations bill, seeks to zero out the Foreign Military Financing Program for Israel. Casar cited the Israeli government's conduct in Gaza and its role in pushing for an expanded conflict with Iran as primary drivers for his decision to break with party orthodoxy.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also confirmed her support for the measure. The move has triggered an immediate lobbying offensive from AIPAC and friction within Democratic ranks, where some leadership-aligned members have dismissed the amendment as poorly drafted. Critics within the party argue the Republican maneuver is a deliberate attempt to fracture the Democratic coalition, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the mounting pressure.

Beyond the legislative maneuvering, the vote arrives as public sentiment regarding unconditional support for Israel continues to wane. A recent United Nations report documenting the deliberate targeting of families in Gaza has added urgency to the push. While some lawmakers have expressed reservations about the scope of Massie’s language, which could impact diplomatic funding, proponents like Casar argue that halting the flow of weapons remains the overriding moral and political priority.