Press ReleaseCeremonial2026-07-16

Hayes Statement On Massie Amendment Vote

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This press release from Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT) was published on 2026-07-16 and titled "Hayes Statement On Massie Amendment Vote".

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Hayes Statement On Massie Amendment Vote

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement following her vote in support of Massie Amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act. I support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people, and recognize the close military, economic and strategic alliance we share. During my time in Congress, I've had a long-standing voting record in support of defense funding for Israel and remain committed to ensuring its safety and security. I am also horrified by UNICEF reports that children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity. The security and humanitarian situation in the region remains catastrophic, characterized by widespread destruction, mass displacement, severe aid blockages and high levels of acute food shortages. I continue to believe the Palestinian people have a right to self-determination and American actions should support that goal. It is unfortunate that Massie Amendment #8 is poorly written and extremely broad and fails to acknowledge the humanitarian efforts, potential impacts on Embassy operations, educational and cultural exchanges, and the ongoing support for Palestinian Security Forces which are funded through this aid. I do not believe this amendment was drafted in pursuit of longstanding solutions, but instead to be another political wedge issue. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, I do believe it opens the door to long overdue, hard conversations on U.S. military aid. In the same way I have voted no to domestic funding for agencies who refuse to implement necessary reforms, I cannot vote to send American taxpayer dollars anywhere in the world without that same level of scrutiny. In this moment, my constituents in the Fifth district of Connecticut are demanding more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the path forward for the Israeli and Palestinian people. For these reasons I voted in support of the amendment. ###

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Hayes Statement On Massie Amendment Vote WASHINGTON D.C. - Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement following her vote in support of Massie Amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act. I support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people, and recognize the close military, economic and strategic alliance we share. During my time in Congress, I've had a long-standing voting record in support of defense funding for Israel and remain committed to ensuring its safety and security. I am also horrified by UNICEF reports that children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity. The security and humanitarian situation in the region remains catastrophic, characterized by widespread destruction, mass displacement, severe aid blockages and high levels of acute food shortages. I continue to believe the Palestinian people have a right to self-determination and American actions should support that goal. It is unfortunate that Massie Amendment #8 is poorly written and extremely broad and fails to acknowledge the humanitarian efforts, potential impacts on Embassy operations, educational and cultural exchanges, and the ongoing support for Palestinian Security Forces which are funded through this aid. I do not believe this amendment was drafted in pursuit of longstanding solutions, but instead to be another political wedge issue. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, I do believe it opens the door to long overdue, hard conversations on U.S. military aid. In the same way I have voted no to domestic funding for agencies who refuse to implement necessary reforms, I cannot vote to send American taxpayer dollars anywhere in the world without that same level of scrutiny. In this moment, my constituents in the Fifth district of Connecticut are demanding more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the path forward for the Israeli and Palestinian people. For these reasons I voted in support of the amendment. ###