Carbajal Statement on Massie Amendment to GOP Foreign Aid Budget Bill

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following his "yes" vote on the Massie Amendment to H.R. 8595.

"Today, I voted yes on Representative Massie's amendment to not give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration funding for more offensive weapons. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, including its potential impacts to humanitarian funding, I cast a yes vote in recognition that we cannot continue to provide Netanyahu a blank check. I remain deeply opposed to how Netanyahu has conducted this war. His administration's strategy has fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and resulted in the tragic loss of an inordinate number of civilian lives.

"While I have always been and will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Israel, I cannot support Netanyahu's extremism, including his push for illegal settlements and condoning settler violence in the West Bank. These actions are untenable and harm the future security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

"For many across the Central Coast, this issue is deeply personal. I have read your letters and listened to your calls urging our country to take stronger action and hold Netanyahu's extremist government accountable. While today's vote was blocked by the House Republican majority, I will continue to fight for more rigorous oversight of our military assistance programs and push for more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. I stand firmly behind a two-state solution that secures the security, rights, and prosperity of both Palestinians and Israelis, for I believe that to be a sustainable path for durable peace in the region."