After vote to block aid to Israel, Ryan says he doesn’t want AIPAC backing

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner) announced he no longer seeks the support of AIPAC after voting to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel. Ryan stated on social media, "I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support." He also indicated he would return funds received from the organization. This decision followed his vote on an amendment to the fiscal 2027 funding bill that would have prohibited funds for Israel and reduced the Foreign Military Financing program. Ryan explained his vote by stating, "I can no longer support sending billions of taxpayer dollars to fund Netanyahu’s increasingly corrupt and dangerous government given its actions." The amendment ultimately failed, but the vote highlights shifting attitudes within the Democratic Party regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ryan's Republican challenger, Jackie Auringer, criticized his vote as politically expedient.