Press Releases

Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the upcoming vote on H.R. 8034:

“To give the Netanyahu government more offensive weapons at this stage is to condone the utter destruction of Gaza we’ve seen over the last seven months and risks fueling a deadly regional war. The United States cannot continue to support the extreme offensive that has caused unimaginable suffering to the Palestinian people. I will vote “no” on sending more offensive weapons and dollars to Israel. 

“I’m a lifelong supporter of a safe and secure Israel and a two-state solution. I will always be firm in supporting Israel as a sovereign nation, supplying defensive tools like the Iron Dome, demanding the release of all hostages, and working toward a free and safe future for the entire region. But supporting Netanyahu’s war in Gaza will undermine Israel’s long-term security and standing, and it is not a path to peace for Israelis and Palestinians. 

“I’m encouraged that Democrats were able to secure global humanitarian aid in this bill. However, I’m deeply concerned that with the prohibition on funding UNRWA and the Netanyahu government consistently blocking aid, this does not come close to meeting the desperate needs of the people in Gaza.

“Americans will remember this moment. The United States must be firm in demanding a course correction from the Netanyahu government. Without a strong message against more offensive aid, the United States risks signaling support for an expanded offensive in Rafah, for an escalation with Iran, and for continued disregard for Palestinian life. ”