“Today the House voted on H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027. This legislation will weaken diplomatic and development capacities critical to national security and further isolate America on the global stage. Among other devastating cuts, it slashes $1.1 billion from international organizations—a blatant attempt to undermine American diplomacy around the world, as well as efforts to bolster global health and combat the climate crisis. The bill also includes specific and heinous attacks on women and LGBTQ+ individuals globally. Republicans also cruelly attached unrelated legislation to this bill that would undermine Americans’ democratic rights, including the fundamental right to vote, in service of a cynical partisan political agenda.

“In addition to the underlying bill, the House also considered several dangerous amendments, including amendments that would undermine efforts to build a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“Most significantly, the overly broad Massie amendment, which imposes a blanket prohibition on any funds in the bill being used for Israel, including embassy operations, critical peacebuilding programs like the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Program (MEPPA), and more. MEPPA is the legacy of my dear late friend and colleague Nita Lowey and plays a critical role in peacebuilding and people-to-people relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Such efforts are absolutely necessary for real progress ever to be made in the region towards a viable, lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“I have made no secret my opinion of Prime Minister Netanyahu. I have often called him the worst leader in Jewish history since the Maccabean king who invited the Romans into Jerusalem over 2100 years ago. Netanyahu is responsible for Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, growing isolation in the region and around the world, and partisan politicization within American politics. He is responsible for the attempts to undermine Israel’s democratic character in service of keeping himself from facing justice, and for using the lives of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians as political pawns in his monomaniacal quest to cling to power. Under his leadership, Hamas grew a stronghold in Gaza with tragically disastrous results, and the Palestinian Authority has been shortsightedly weakened, undermining any viable alternative. Settler violence has surged in the West Bank, and new Palestinian terrorist entities have arisen. In short, Netanyahu has been a disaster for Israel and for all those around the world concerned with the future of the region. 

“I do not question the many well-intentioned supporters of the amendment who voted for it as a means of sending a message of disapproval of Israel’s actions. I share their disapproval of these actions, and I will never shy away from expressing my critiques of Israel’s behavior loudly and publicly without fear. However, I refuse to support prohibiting funding for the very peace-building programs and activities that are perhaps our best hope at present of improving the reality on the ground and building towards long-term peace. These programs, funded in memory of Chairwoman Lowey, are persistently under attack, with their funding under constant risk. I simply will not join those undermining the heroic efforts of these peace-seekers.

“I also want to strongly oppose the Tenney amendment, which called on the House to support upending the precarious status quo on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. As a progressive, I believe that religious freedom and equal access for all are important principles governing international relations. This amendment, however, fundamentally misapplied these principles to a tenuous and potentially dangerous situation on the Temple Mount. The status quo on the Temple Mount exists in a delicate arrangement, which is best explained by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s own words: “Muslims pray on the Temple Mount; non-Muslims visit the Temple Mount.” This policy was established in 1967 after Israel conquered the territory on which the Temple Mount stands, and it has been regularly reaffirmed by every Israeli Prime Minister and Government since.

“It is only now, when there are extremists and previously convicted terrorists serving as members of the Israeli cabinet, that this extremely delicate agreement has begun to erode. Over the past years, instigated by Israel’s so-called “Minister of National Security,” radical Israeli extremists have been methodically testing the limits and attempting to move the goal posts of the fragile status quo agreement. These provocateurs understand the implications of their actions. In fact, many of the most important Ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Rabbis in Israel forbid visiting the top of the Temple Mount on religious grounds. But these agitators and instigators selectively seek out particular Rabbinic advice that place kosher certifications on their inciting actions. 

“It was former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount that many believe triggered the outbreak of the Second Intifada. And in recent years, social media clips exposing Israeli police beating Muslim worshipers in and around al-Aqsa Mosque with clubs and rifle butts have provoked violent responses and provided the pretext for rockets from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and more. Any attempts to change the letter, or even the spirit, of the status quo agreement on the Temple Mount has the potential to beget untold levels of violence and further dramatically destabilize the region.

“In addition to these amendments, I oppose the amendment aimed at defunding assistance to our vital ally Jordan, the United Nations and its important diplomacy around the world, the Global Environment Facility aiding in climate resilience in light of climate change around the world, and the Fulbright Program, which is the gold-standard of education and cultural exchange programs. 

“I am also deeply disappointed that the Republican majority refused to allow consideration of my bipartisan amendment to prohibit the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues (SEHI) from being eliminated or merged into another office. SEHI is the only office in the U.S. Government solely dedicated to advocating for Holocaust survivors. As I have said before, if this Administration truly cared about Holocaust survivors, they would strengthen the SEHI office—not eliminate it.

“Today’s legislation will make the world less safe and less secure for generations to come. Unfortunately, I was unable to vote due to a family medical emergency in New York. Had I been present, I would have voted against this deeply shameful bill and the dangerous amendments considered by the House. When this bill is sent to the Senate, I urge them to take a more responsible course.”

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