Jeffries Blocks $3.3B Israel Aid Cut After Record AIPAC Earmark

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly opposed a Republican-backed amendment that seeks to eliminate $3.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel, following his campaign’s receipt of the largest earmarked donation in American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) political action committee history. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, would not only strip funding for Israel’s Foreign Military Financing but also prohibit any other State Department appropriations from being used for the country. Jeffries, a key Democratic figure in the House, argued in a letter to colleagues that the measure is “overly broad” and could disrupt critical programs such as humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, and embassy operations.

AIPAC, a prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization, has strongly condemned the amendment, calling security assistance “essential” to Israel’s defense and the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership. The group has mobilized its network to urge lawmakers to reject the proposal. Several progressive Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, have signaled support for the amendment, highlighting internal party divisions over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign influence in U.S. politics. On May 20, AIPAC’s political action committee transferred two earmarked donations totaling $149,300 to the Jeffries Battleground Protection Fund, a joint fundraising committee that allocates funds to Jeffries’ campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and more than a dozen frontline House Democrats. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records identify both payments as originating from billionaire hedge fund manager Daniel Och, founder of Willoughby Capital.

Jeffries’ opposition to the aid cut aligns with his broader stance on supporting Israel, a position reinforced by significant financial backing from AIPAC-aligned donors. The amendment’s prospects remain uncertain as lawmakers weigh broader budgetary and foreign policy considerations in the annual appropriations process.

Critics of the amendment argue it could undermine regional stability and weaken a long-standing U.S. commitment to Israeli security. Supporters, however, frame it as a necessary step toward re-evaluating military assistance amid ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises.

The debate reflects deeper divisions within the Democratic Party and Congress over America’s role in global conflicts, with Israel aid emerging as a flashpoint in broader discussions about defense spending and foreign intervention.

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