Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was the lone Republican in the House to vote against a resolution that condemned Iran’s attack on Israel.
He joined the likes of Squad members and other far-left Democrats. The resolution overwhelmingly passed in a 404-14 vote Thursday. Iran’s drone and missile attack against Israel was unprecedented. The House of Representatives wanted to send a strong message that condemned the attack and showed support for our ally, Israel.
Massie joined AOC, Jamaal Bowman, and other extreme Democrats.
In addition to Ocasio-Cortez and Bowman, Democrats Cori Bush of Missouri, Greg Casar of Texas, Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Hank Johnson of Georgia, Barbara Lee of California, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan voted against the measure.
It’s his choice to make, whether to work with Republicans or to go to the dark side with a group of Democrats known for having less than admirable records of support for Israel. With tensions so high over the Israel-Hamas war, I wonder if his constituents will find his position offensive. A majority of Americans support Israel and expect the Biden administration to show its support. Massie voted with the pro-Hamas caucus.
Massie is an odd duck. He endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis for president in the Republican primary in 2023 before DeSantis entered the race. He cited his longtime friendship with DeSantis, going back to the days when they served together in the House. Trump endorsed Massie for re-election in 2022 but was often at odds with him. Trump called Massie a “third-rate grandstander” and a “disaster for America” when Massie helped force Congress to return to Washington and vote in person on a $2T COVID-19 relief package.
One Republican and one Democrat put forth the resolution.
The resolution, led by Reps. Tom Kean (R-NJ) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), condemns the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel; “fully supports Israel’s right to respond” through any means; calls on other countries to condemn the attack; praises the multinational effort to intercept missiles and drones; expresses commitment to additional aid to Israel; calls for “full enforcement” of sanctions and export controls against Iran; and says the House “stands ready to assist Israel” in any way.
Most of the lawmakers who opposed the resolution have a history of opposing a series of other bipartisan measures on Iran this week. The resolution is nonbinding. The vote indicates that the lawmakers will oppose an aid bill for Israel when it comes to the House floor, perhaps on Saturday.
The House resolution acknowledges that American defense systems were critical to Israel’s effort against the Iranian attack. It demonstrated “the vital importance of the United States and Israel’s security partnership.”
Massie hasn’t commented on his decision to vote with the anti-Israel Squad. It is likely due to his commitment to a non-interventionist philosophy.
In November, he caused a stir when he was the sole lawmaker to vote against a resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist. Tlaib, the first Palestinian- American member of Congress, voted “present.”
“I’m voting No on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism,” Massie explained at the time. “Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful.”
I wonder what it would take for Massie to show some full-throated support for Israel and its right to defend itself against the world’s leading exporter of terrorism, Iran. I hope we don’t have to find out.