Larson Statement on the Massie Amendment

Washington, D.C. - Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on today's House vote on the Massie Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Appropriations Bill.

"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands an immediate surge of aid to innocent civilians. Prime Minister Netanyahu's blockade and President Trump's failure to enforce existing human rights laws have prolonged needless suffering for far too long," said Larson. "The amendment before us today would make that crisis worse by blocking aid to Palestinian refugees, defunding peacebuilding programs, and pushing a two-state solution further out of reach. That is why I voted against it. Hamas's attack on October 7 was abhorrent. The indiscriminate bombing and suffering of the Palestinian people are abhorrent. The rise in antisemitism around the world is abhorrent. We must condemn all of these injustices clearly and without contradiction.

"I will continue to oppose anyone who undermines peace, including actions by the Netanyahu government that threaten a viable two-state solution," Larson continued. "The Trump Administration must enforce existing restrictions on weapons transfers while ensuring that food, medicine, shelter, and other humanitarian aid reach civilians. Prime Minister Netanyahu must restore access to Gaza for aid workers and halt any effort to annex the West Bank. I am a cosponsor of the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, which would sanction those who commit violence in the West Bank, and I support restoring funding for UNRWA to help deliver humanitarian relief at the scale this crisis requires. The United States must protect civilians, uphold international law, and pursue a lasting peace in which Israelis and Palestinians can live with safety, dignity, and self-determination."