House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that he will vote against a proposal to end U.S. assistance to Israel, breaking with members of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing who have pushed to halt American funding.

In a letter to fellow Democrats, Jeffries said the proposed amendment to the State Department and foreign operations appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027 is “overly broad” and could unintentionally block funding for longstanding programs, including humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building initiatives, and U.S. embassy operations.

Jeffries also argued that the amendment could limit America’s ability to confront Hamas, saying its current language would have consequences extending well beyond its stated goal of ending aid to Israel.

The announcement comes amid growing divisions within the Democratic Party. While progressive lawmakers have called for ending U.S. financial support to Israel, other Democrats aligned with party leadership have warned that the proposal could also cut off humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza.

Jeffries emphasized that Democratic leadership will not issue a formal whip directing members how to vote, saying there are “legitimate reasons” why lawmakers may reach different conclusions on the measure.

At the same time, Jeffries wrote that the U.S.-Israel relationship needs a “significant course correction,” particularly as the 10-year U.S. security assistance agreement negotiated during the Obama administration approaches its expiration.

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