July 15, 2026 05:03 PM UTC

Colorado Democrats Unite Against Bibi Netanyahu

• 0 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

As NBC News reports this afternoon, an amendment proposed by dissident Republican Rep. Thomas Massie that would have if successful cut off most aid to Israel as public opinion in the United States sours on the treatment of Palestinians and the ongoing war with Iran failed today, but not before a large number of Democrats lodged their objection in the record:

A rare public disagreement at the party’s highest levels highlighted growing turmoil among lawmakers and the party base about how to handle U.S. relations with Israel. The debate also pits a rising progressive wing calling for cutting off assistance to Israel, at least until the Israeli government changes its approach to Gaza, against center-left Democrats who are reluctant to upend the U.S.’ decadeslong alliance with Israel…

The amendment was rejected in a 104-314 vote, with 103 Democrats joining Massie in voting yes and 98 Democrats joining the rest of Republicans in voting no. Ten Democrats voted “present.”

The amendment by Massie, a vocal non-interventionist and fiscal conservative, would bar any funding in the national security and State Department appropriations bill from being used for Israel. It would also block $3.3 billion in U.S. security assistance for Israel.

Although the amendment failed, the number of Democrats who voted in favor reflects how public opinion, and in particular the opinion of a vocal segment of the Democratic base, has shifted in the last few years. A recent poll of Democratic voters shows support for Israel has sharply declined among Democratic voters, from roughly equal levels of support and opposition to lopsided disapproval. This slide in support undeniably manifested in the recent Democratic primary elections in Colorado with the resounding victory of a single-issue anti-Israel candidate in Colorado’s most left-leaning House district.

What we can say is that Colorado’s Democratic delegation is paying attention to what constituents are saying, resulting in all four voting in favor of Massie’s amendment. Here’s their joint statement via Rep. Jason Crow:

Particularly in the wake of losses for longtime Democratic incumbents like Denver’s Rep. Diana DeGette to hard left challengers energized by this issue, there’s little appetite left for defending the government of Benjamin Netanyahu after years of escalation and unacceptable civilian casualties, culminating in the disastrous war against Iran that Netanyahu by all accounts persuaded Donald Trump to launch. At this point, Democrats are taking the blame not just for excesses that occurred under former President Joe Biden, but the free hand that Netanyahu has enjoyed for a year and a half with Trump.

Under President Kamala Harris, a whole lot of things would be very different today.

With that said, give credit to Rep. DeGette and the rest of the Colorado delegation for a brave united stand they didn’t have to take.