U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5th District) was the only member of Connecticut’s congressional delegation to vote for an amendment that would have cut an additional $3.3 billion in aid to Israel. The amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, was defeated by the other four Connecticut representatives—John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, and Jim Himes—along with nearly half of the Democratic caucus and all but one Republican.

“I absolutely support Israel’s right to exist, but I’m horrified with what’s happening to these kids in Gaza,”

Hayes stated, explaining her vote was driven by constituent concerns and a desire for broader discussion on aid, despite criticizing the amendment as “poorly written” and “overly broad” for not addressing humanitarian aid or specific defense scrutiny. Other Democrats, including Larson, DeLauro, and Courtney, opposed the amendment, arguing it was a Republican attempt to divide Democrats and would exacerbate issues like blocked aid to Palestinian refugees. The vote highlighted a growing divide within the Democratic party regarding U.S. aid to Israel, with even House Democratic leadership split on the issue.

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5th District) was the only member of Connecticut's congressional delegation to vote for an amendment that would have cut an additional $3.3 billion in aid to Israel. The amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, was defeated, with the other four Connecticut representatives—John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, and Jim Himes—voting against it. Hayes, while criticizing the amendment as "poorly written" and a "gotcha amendment," stated, "I absolutely support Israel’s right to exist, but I’m horrified with what’s happening to these kids in Gaza." She expressed a desire for a broader discussion on U.S. aid to the region, emphasizing the need for more precise legislation that supports humanitarian aid while scrutinizing defense aid. The vote highlighted a growing division within the Democratic party regarding aid to Israel, with members of House Democratic leadership also split on the issue.