Congresswoman Dean’s Statement On Supporting the “Massie Amendment”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement on her vote for Amendment #8 ( the “Massie Amendment”) to the FY27 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs appropriations bill. “For nearly three years, I have mourned the unspeakable horrors of October 7th. I have met with the families of the slaughtered and the families of hostages as we fought to bring their loved ones, living and dead, home. I have been to Israel three times since the barbaric Hamas attacks — where I met directly with Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of his administration. I repeatedly implored them to pursue a just war, and warned that Israel would lose support if it did not. At the same time, I have met with Palestinian-Americans, Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank — families who have lost so many and so much; I have met with healthcare and aid workers — both American and international — operating in Gaza and beyond. It is evident that Mr. Netanyahu’s government continues to inflict atrocities and unspeakable crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, on innocent Palestinians, so many of them children. That is why today I voted “yes” on Congressman Massie’s flawed amendment — to make clear from me: Not another dime to the Netanyahu government. Israel is a friend and ally of the United States, and I have prized my opportunities to visit and get to know her people. But Netanyahu’s prosecution of this war has not made Israel safer. It has not brought stability to the Middle East. And it has not lived up to our American ideals or international law. And, yes, the Massie amendment is deeply flawed; it is too broadly written, and I have great concern for the State Department’s potential to cut funding for humanitarian aid. Yet I want long-term peace, security, sovereignty, dignity, and hope for the Israeli and Palestinian people. Therefore, I cannot support more funding for Mr. Netanyahu’s continuing atrocities. While my colleagues in our Democratic Caucus may cast a variety of votes, we are all united in our hope for long-term peace — just as the Jewish tradition teaches Tikkun Olam .” Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania. ###