How NY lawmakers split on bill to cut aid to Israel

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Jul 16, 2026

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NEW YORK — New York City-area Democratic lawmakers split on a failed measure that would have cut off all U.S. aid to Israel, which for the first time ever garnered the support of half the Democrats in the House of Representatives.

With many moderates and longtime backers of Israel switching sides, Hudson Valley Rep. Pat Ryan voted in favor of cutting off aid and fiercely denounced the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

“Sending $3.3 billion of our taxpayer dollars to Netanyahu’s government (is) wrong on every level,” tweeted Ryan, who had previously received some support from AIPAC. “I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support.”

Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries led the opposition to the move and kept most other local Democrats in line to oppose the amendment, which won 103-98 among Democrats but failed due to overwhelming opposition from Republicans.

Even Jeffries called the vote a powerful warning sign for the right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the wars in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.

“For the good of Israel and the Palestinian people, American policy in the Middle East must change,” said Jeffries, a strong supporter of Israel who represents several large Jewish communities in Brooklyn.

Progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez voted for the amendment as expected.

Local Black lawmakers and others representing significant Jewish communities stuck with Israel even as Democrats nationally shifted sharply.

Lame duck representatives Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, both of whom lost their recent primaries to progressive challengers backed by Mayor Mamdani, opposed the measure, as did Queens Rep. Grace Meng, who survived a similar challenge.

Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, Rep. Greg Meeks of Queens, and Brooklyn’s Rep. Yvette Clarke also voted to continue aid to Israel, along with all local Republicans.

A similar measure in 2024 won the backing of only 37 mostly progressive Democrats, highlighting the major shift within the party.

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