Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie joined with eight Democrats to vote against funding $1 billion in aid for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system Thursday.
In a 420-9 vote, Massie joined with Democratic Reps. Andre Carson of Indiana, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Rep. Marie Newman of Illinois, Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rep. Chewy Garcia of Illinois, Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri.
The aid restores the Iron Dome, a defensive system engineered to intercept rockets fired toward the country. (RELATED: ‘Our Most Reliable Ally’: Israel’s Iron Dome Funding Sails Through The House)
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) attend a news conference to discuss proposed legislation entitled Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act outside the U.S. Capitol on March 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Top House Republicans, such as Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, have slammed Democrats for opposing the aid. (RELATED: Rep. McCarthy: ‘Dems Capitulate To The Antisemitic Influence Of Their Radical Members’ By Trying To Pull Funding For Iron Dome)
“This week, we witnessed Nancy Pelosi cave to the Anti-Semitic requests of her most radical members,” Stefanik said in a statement. “It is unacceptable that House Democrats would be willing to deny funding for Israel’s purely defensive system that saves innocent lives from Hamas terrorists’ indiscriminate rocket attacks. While the Far-Left Squad would abandon our ally and align themselves with international terrorist organizations and the Iranian regime, I am proud stand with Israel.”
“Democrats just pulled funding from the Iron Dome—the missile defense system that has saved countless lives in Israel from Hamas’ rocket attacks. While Dems capitulate to the antisemitic influence of their radical members, Republicans will always stand with Israel,” McCarthy tweeted Tuesday.
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. President Joe Biden also supports the Iron Dome funding provision.
The Daily Caller contacted Massie’s office about his vote, to which he said: “My position of ‘no foreign aid’ might sound extreme to some, but I think it’s extreme to bankrupt our country and put future generations of Americans in hock to our creditors.”