Money talks as most lawmakers defy common sense and vote to wage war

Congress approved an incendiary Republican Resolution (H.Res. 1143) that ‘fully supports’ offensive action by the Jewish state while condemning Iran’s attack on Israel that some lawmakers claim seems calculated to provoke an upsurge of violence in the Middle East and undermine President Joe Biden’s calls for de-escalation.

The chamber also approved a massive new foreign aid package, combining billions of dollars in military supplies for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with billions more in humanitarian assistance for Gaza and other war zones around the globe after months of House Republicans fighting amongst themselves.

“Congress is shamefully choosing a failed approach of fueling genocide rather than saving Palestinian and Israeli lives,” said Rep. Cori Bush.

While every member of the New Jersey delegation supported the resolution that ‘fully supports’ offensive action by Israel, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman flipped on the aid package.

Garden State progressives railed against Congressman Andy Kim, who voted to endorse Israeli aggression against Iran that could trigger a broader global conflict plus brutality that has been called ‘genocide’ against Palestinians and which has slaughtered about 15,000 children in Gaza; as well as all four aid measures intended to supply more military armaments to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Ukraine and Taiwan.

According to AIPAC Tracker, Kim has accepted $360,452 from groups considered members of the ‘pro-Israel lobby,’ including AIPAC, UDP, DMFI, Pro-Israel America, Republican Jewish Coalition, NORPAC, Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs, US Israel PAC, and J Street.

The groups included as members of the pro-Israel lobby are notably generous to congressmen from New Jersey, with several being AIPAC-sponsored candidates, such as Donald Norcross (NJ-01) receiving $137,450, Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) receiving $104,157, Chris Smith (NJ-04) receiving $250,175, Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) receiving $1,425,625, Frank Pallone (NJ-06) receiving $199,625, Tom Kean (NJ-07) receiving $270,518, Rob Menendez (NJ-08) receiving $90,650, Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) receiving $182,657, and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) receiving $77,131.

Passage of these bills could be a huge victory for Speaker Mike Johnson if he survives a growing movement by conservative hardliners who want to remove him from power

promised through the House in the face of fierce opposition from occupying his animated right flank. direct challenge to his gavel.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) last month had introduced a resolution — a motion since endorsed by two other GOP lawmakers

Marjorie Taylor Greene accused the speaker of betraying America and
The Republican firebrand issued fresh calls for Johnson’s removal after a $60 billion package for Ukraine was approved.

Another conservative has joined the list of Republicans vying to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson over his decision to push Ukraine aid at the expense of securing the southern border. 

Arizona’s Paul Gosar on Friday said he’s all in with fellow Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky in their crusade to boot Johnson from his leadership post.

The lawmaker cited the speaker’s decision to barrel ahead with a $60 billion Ukraine aid bill that doesn’t include border security provisions as his main reason for co-sponsoring Ms. Greene’s motion to vacate the chair. 

The speaker of the House of Representatives was accused by conservative critics of “betraying America” after he forced a vote on aid for Ukraine, ending months of deadlock in Congress…

Johnson refused to post a foreign aid package passed by the Senate in February, and he has agonized since then over how to move a more conservative version through the House.

Following the Israeli military attack in Syria ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones, most of which the IDF’s fabled Iron Dome air defense system and allied forces were able to shoot down.

The airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus killed seven Iranian military officials, including two top-ranking IRGC generals.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in a brutal retaliatory action by Israeli forces, millions of civilians in Gaza are on the brink of famine, and about 130 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.

Hamas launched the surprise attack on October 7, in retribution for an Israeli police crackdown at a Jerusalem mosque during Ramadan about a year ago.

“In this moment of growing global conflict, I have consistently advocated for policies and budgets that save lives, promote de-escalation, and work toward peace across the globe,” said,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

“It is unconscionable that Congress would consider sending more offensive weapons and funding to the Israeli military, which for months has operated with callous disregard for human life in Gaza and perpetrated significant human rights violations,” said Pressley. “While I support Israel’s right to defend itself—especially following the horrific October 7th attack and I grieve deeply for those impacted—we cannot bomb our way to peace and become complicit as the Netaynahu government continues to massacre the Palestinian people.

Only 14 House members voted against the resolution: 13 Democrats and one Republican. The group of Democrats includes “squad” members Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Rep. Thomas Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the resolution.

An overwhelming majority of the House voted Thursday on a resolution to condemn Iran’s recent attack on Israel.

The Committee on Rules reported the resolution by a vote of 9-4 on Monday, April 15, 2024.

House Republicans abandoned their responsibility to keep Americans safe with a measure that will deliver on the worst impulses of those House Republicans. It almost forces the Biden administration to restart efforts to suppress warmongering and violence.

“I unequivocally condemn the Iranian military’s attack on Israel, just as I condemn the Israeli military attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu that sparked this dangerous escalation, which is why I voted against H.Res. 1143 today,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “President Biden has made it clear that he does not support escalating violence in the Middle East, which this resolution will contribute to by supporting further military action. We must do everything in our power to end the ongoing violence, pursue a lasting ceasefire, and save civilian lives. Instead of pushing resolutions that fan the flames of war, Congress should recognize all of the lives that have been lost, both Palestinian and Israeli. We have a moral responsibility to govern in a way that centers those most impacted and nurtures humanity instead of succumbing to more warmongering and violence.”

“Iran’s attack on Israel was a dangerous escalation in what could quickly turn into a larger regional war,” said Representative Pramila Jayapal. “I condemned the attack by Iran, as well as the precipitating hostilities that led to the attack, and I called for immediate de-escalation to reduce the threat of these actions widening into a larger regional conflict.”

“I also supported President Biden’s actions, along with allies, in thwarting the Iranian attack and defending Israel against those threats,” said Jayapal. “I voted ‘no’ on this resolution because I am concerned that it further escalates the situation at exactly the time that we need to do the opposite. It does not mention the precipitating strike on the Iranian embassy by Israel that led to this attack.”

“It ‘fully supports’ further offensive action by Israel and calls for continued arms sales to Israel,” said Jayapal. “It makes no distinction between aid to Israel for defensive purposes—such as the Iron Dome funding or against threats from Hezbollah and Iran—versus aid to Israel for offensive strikes against innocent civilians in Gaza.”

“While I continue to support defensive aid to Israel, I have been clear that I cannot support offensive military aid to Israel with no strings attached while the Netanyahu government continues to kill innocent civilians in Gaza — both through military action and the blocking of humanitarian aid leading to famine,” said Jayapal.

“This is a time to de-escalate the conflict, not promote retaliatory violence, and I appreciate President Biden’s leadership on this issue,” said Jayapal. “It is also of the utmost importance to achieve an immediate ceasefire to end the killing of innocents, return the hostages, and create a path for peace and security in the region. That is where our focus must be in this moment.”

“I voted no on a bill that ‘fully supports’ an Israeli military response to Iran’s retaliatory & escalatory attack,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “I unequivocally condemn Iran’s attack that risked civilian lives, but I can’t support continued escalation that could drag the US into regional war.”

Nearly 20 members of Congress — Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Greg Casar (TX-35), Mark Takano (CA-39), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Judy Chu (CA-28), Hank Johnson (GA-04), André Carson (IN-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:

“This is a moment of great consequence – the world is watching. Today is, in many ways, Congress’ first official vote where we can weigh in on the direction of this war. If Congress votes to continue to supply offensive military aid, we make ourselves complicit in this tragedy.

“Our votes against H.R. 8034 are votes against supplying more offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere. We believe strongly in Israel’s right to self-defense and have joined colleagues previously in affirming our shared commitment.

“All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel. To protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin.

“Benjamin Netanyahu appears willing to sacrifice the hostages while inflicting extraordinary suffering on the people of Gaza. He is willing to expand this conflict to preserve his power at the expense of Israel’s safety. In recent weeks, reports have indicated that Netanyahu is moving closer to a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have taken shelter. When faced with the question of whether to provide offensive aid to further this conflict, we believe there is a moral imperative to find another path.

“Most Americans do not want our government to write a blank check to further Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war in Gaza. The United States needs to help Israel find a path to win the peace.”

Voting against H.R.8034 – 118th Congress (2023-2024): the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, were:

Balint	Democratic	Vermont	NAY
Beyer	Democratic	Virginia	NAY
Biggs	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Blumenauer	Democratic	Oregon	NAY
Boebert	Republican	Colorado	NAY
Bowman	Democratic	New York	NAY
Burchett	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Bush	Democratic	Missouri	NAY
Carson	Democratic	Indiana	NAY
Casar	Democratic	Texas	NAY
Castro (TX)	Democratic	Texas	NAY
Chu	Democratic	California	NAY
Clyde	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Crane	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Davidson	Republican	Ohio	NAY
DeSaulnier	Democratic	California	NAY
DesJarlais	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Doggett	Democratic	Texas	NAY
Frost	Democratic	Florida	NAY
Gaetz	Republican	Florida	NAY
Garamendi	Democratic	California	NAY
García (IL)	Democratic	Illinois	NAY
Good (VA)	Republican	Virginia	NAY
Gosar	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Green, Al (TX)	Democratic	Texas	NAY
Greene (GA)	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Harris	Republican	Maryland	NAY
Jackson (IL)	Democratic	Illinois	NAY
Jayapal	Democratic	Washington	NAY
Johnson (GA)	Democratic	Georgia	NAY
Khanna	Democratic	California	NAY
Kildee	Democratic	Michigan	NAY
Lee (CA)	Democratic	California	NAY
Lee (PA)	Democratic	Pennsylvania	NAY
Massie	Republican	Kentucky	NAY
McGovern	Democratic	Massachusetts	NAY
Mills	Republican	Florida	NAY
Nehls	Republican	Texas	NAY
Norman	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Ocasio-Cortez	Democratic	New York	NAY
Omar	Democratic	Minnesota	NAY
Perry	Republican	Pennsylvania	NAY
Pingree	Democratic	Maine	NAY
Pocan	Democratic	Wisconsin	NAY
Pressley	Democratic	Massachusetts	NAY
Ramirez	Democratic	Illinois	NAY
Raskin	Democratic	Maryland	NAY
Rosendale	Republican	Montana	NAY
Roy	Republican	Texas	NAY
Takano	Democratic	California	NAY
Thompson (MS)	Democratic	Mississippi	NAY
Tiffany	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Tlaib	Democratic	Michigan	NAY
Tokuda	Democratic	Hawaii	NAY
Velázquez	Democratic	New York	NAY
Waters	Democratic	California	NAY
Watson Coleman	Democratic	New Jersey	NAY
Zinke	Republican	Montana	NAY

Voting against H. R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, were:

REPRESENTATIVE	PARTY	STATE	VOTE
Alford	Republican	Missouri	NAY
Allen	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Amodei	Republican	Nevada	NAY
Armstrong	Republican	North Dakota	NAY
Arrington	Republican	Texas	NAY
Babin	Republican	Texas	NAY
Baird	Republican	Indiana	NAY
Balderson	Republican	Ohio	NAY
Banks	Republican	Indiana	NAY
Bean (FL)	Republican	Florida	NAY
Bergman	Republican	Michigan	NAY
Biggs	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Bilirakis	Republican	Florida	NAY
Bishop (NC)	Republican	North Carolina	NAY
Boebert	Republican	Colorado	NAY
Bost	Republican	Illinois	NAY
Brecheen	Republican	Oklahoma	NAY
Burchett	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Burlison	Republican	Missouri	NAY
Cammack	Republican	Florida	NAY
Carl	Republican	Alabama	NAY
Cline	Republican	Virginia	NAY
Cloud	Republican	Texas	NAY
Clyde	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Collins	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Comer	Republican	Kentucky	NAY
Crane	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Crawford	Republican	Arkansas	NAY
Davidson	Republican	Ohio	NAY
De La Cruz	Republican	Texas	NAY
DesJarlais	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Donalds	Republican	Florida	NAY
Duncan	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Estes	Republican	Kansas	NAY
Ezell	Republican	Mississippi	NAY
Fallon	Republican	Texas	NAY
Finstad	Republican	Minnesota	NAY
Fischbach	Republican	Minnesota	NAY
Fitzgerald	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Franklin, Scott	Republican	Florida	NAY
Fry	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Fulcher	Republican	Idaho	NAY
Gaetz	Republican	Florida	NAY
Good (VA)	Republican	Virginia	NAY
Gooden (TX)	Republican	Texas	NAY
Gosar	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Graves (LA)	Republican	Louisiana	NAY
Green (TN)	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Greene (GA)	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Grothman	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Guest	Republican	Mississippi	NAY
Hageman	Republican	Wyoming	NAY
Harris	Republican	Maryland	NAY
Harshbarger	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Hern	Republican	Oklahoma	NAY
Higgins (LA)	Republican	Louisiana	NAY
Huizenga	Republican	Michigan	NAY
Jackson (TX)	Republican	Texas	NAY
Jordan	Republican	Ohio	NAY
Joyce (PA)	Republican	Pennsylvania	NAY
Kelly (MS)	Republican	Mississippi	NAY
LaMalfa	Republican	California	NAY
Langworthy	Republican	New York	NAY
Lee (FL)	Republican	Florida	NAY
Lesko	Republican	Arizona	NAY
Letlow	Republican	Louisiana	NAY
Loudermilk	Republican	Georgia	NAY
Luna	Republican	Florida	NAY
Luttrell	Republican	Texas	NAY
Mace	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Malliotakis	Republican	New York	NAY
Maloy	Republican	Utah	NAY
Mann	Republican	Kansas	NAY
Massie	Republican	Kentucky	NAY
Mast	Republican	Florida	NAY
McClain	Republican	Michigan	NAY
Miller (IL)	Republican	Illinois	NAY
Mills	Republican	Florida	NAY
Moolenaar	Republican	Michigan	NAY
Moore (AL)	Republican	Alabama	NAY
Nehls	Republican	Texas	NAY
Norman	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Obernolte	Republican	California	NAY
Ogles	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Owens	Republican	Utah	NAY
Palmer	Republican	Alabama	NAY
Perry	Republican	Pennsylvania	NAY
Pfluger	Republican	Texas	NAY
Posey	Republican	Florida	NAY
Rose	Republican	Tennessee	NAY
Rosendale	Republican	Montana	NAY
Roy	Republican	Texas	NAY
Self	Republican	Texas	NAY
Smith (MO)	Republican	Missouri	NAY
Spartz	Republican	Indiana	NAY
Stauber	Republican	Minnesota	NAY
Stefanik	Republican	New York	NAY
Steil	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Steube	Republican	Florida	NAY
Strong	Republican	Alabama	NAY
Tenney	Republican	New York	NAY
Tiffany	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Timmons	Republican	South Carolina	NAY
Van Drew	Republican	New Jersey	NAY
Van Duyne	Republican	Texas	NAY
Van Orden	Republican	Wisconsin	NAY
Walberg	Republican	Michigan	NAY
Waltz	Republican	Florida	NAY
Weber (TX)	Republican	Texas	NAY
Webster (FL)	Republican	Florida	NAY
Williams (TX)	Republican	Texas	NAY
Zinke	Republican	Montana	NAY