Wasserman Schultz Reluctantly Votes for "Poisoned" Israel Bill, Castor Votes No

Florida Democrats were split after the House of Representatives passed a funding package for Israel. Most lawmakers on the left side of the aisle like Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) want to combine funding for Israel, Ukraine, and allies in the Indo-Pacific into one bill. However, the small minority of Democrats who sided with Republicans such as Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) believe that Israel needs to be prioritized.

Rep. Castor called the Republican-led bill an example of the House “deserting our allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.”

“In a maneuver that harms America’s national security, House Republicans are stalling swift passage of security assistance to Israel and deserting our allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific at a time that they need us most,” said Rep. Castor.

She continued, calling the bill “immoral.”

“The House GOP’s bill immorally excludes humanitarian aid for innocent Palestinians who are used as human shields by Hamas terrorists. The GOP bill also appallingly attempts to shield rich tax cheats and increases the federal deficit,” said Castor.

The Florida congresswoman would later mention that denying humanitarian assistance to Gazans undermines the security of Israel.

Rep. Castor called the Republican-led bill an example of the House “deserting our allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.”

“In a maneuver that harms America’s national security, House Republicans are stalling swift passage of security assistance to Israel and deserting our allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific at a time that they need us most,” said Rep. Castor.

She continued, calling the bill “immoral.”

“The House GOP’s bill immorally excludes humanitarian aid for innocent Palestinians who are used as human shields by Hamas terrorists. The GOP bill also appallingly attempts to shield rich tax cheats and increases the federal deficit,” said Castor.

The Florida congresswoman would later mention that denying humanitarian assistance to Gazans undermines the security of Israel.

“Denying humanitarian assistance to millions of innocent civilians in Gaza and across the region would undermine Israel’s security and stability in the region. It is in America’s national security interest to ensure that the conflict does not widen as Israel defends itself after the barbaric terrorist attack. America can and should help our democratic allies defend themselves and rally other nations to support the humanitarian response,” concluded Castor. Rep. Wasserman Schultz was one of 12 Democrats to vote with Republicans on this legislation. She stated that she had a lot of problems with this bill and that she “worked to rid this bill of the poison it contained,” but as a Jew, she needed to vote for the legislation. “The safety and security of Israel is paramount, especially in her time of crisis. I was appalled at the gross politicization of this critical funding and an unprecedented conditioning of emergency aid to Israel by Speaker Johnson. All week, I worked to rid this bill of the poison it contained, including offering an amendment that would have ensured a clean bill, but they were rejected by Republicans,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. She even stated that she encouraged her colleagues to vote against the bill because it did not include the proposal provided by President Joe Biden (D) that includes support for Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. However, the vote for Wasserman Schultz was “personal.” I urged many of my colleagues to vote against this bill because of the horrendous precedent it set and the urgent need to pass the full emergency supplemental proposed by President Biden. For me, as a Jew, as a Zionist and as the representative of a large Jewish community, I personally needed to cast my vote to stand by Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people, in this moment of crisis. I will continue to work closely with the White House, the Senate, and bipartisan colleagues in the House to ensure America provides vital humanitarian aid and security assistance for our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.” Castor did not address the 12 of her colleagues’ decision to vote with Republicans.