Congresswoman April McClain Delaney statement on Rep. Thomas Massie's amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act

Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney released the following statement after voting no on Rep. Thomas Massie's Amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

"The future of the U.S.-Israel relationship requires serious, thoughtful policy, not political grandstanding. I voted against Representative Massie's amendment stripping foreign military financing for Israel because it was poorly drafted, overly broad, undermined humanitarian aid, and failed to reflect the critical threats facing our country and global order. My vote should not be mistaken as support for unconditional military aid to Israel. I do not support providing a blank check to any government, and U.S. assistance must be consistent with our laws, interests, and values.

"I believe the Democratic Caucus stands united in our hopes for a lasting peace and a two-state solution. We must consider the long-term effects of changing U.S. foreign policy. Forcing a vote on a cynical, unserious amendment that won't be made into law is counterproductive.

"The United States should continue to support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and to defend itself. That said, I urge the Netanyahu government to demonstrate a deeper commitment to humanitarian assistance, to safeguard innocent civilian lives, to put an end to settler violence on the West Bank, and advance a realistic path towards a two-state solution.

"Next Congress, we will thoroughly and intelligently revisit the expiring Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Israel. We will have an opportunity to reshape the U.S.-Israel relationship to ensure respect for human rights and strong regional defense for U.S. interests and our Middle Eastern allies. As we look to the future, I want to be clear: the question is not whether we should change U.S. policy, but instead about what those changes should be."