The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urgently calls on all Americans who oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza to call on their member of Congress in the U.S. House to “NOT SIGN” the Democratic discharge petition currently circulating in Congress. This petition, already endorsed by four representatives according to the House Clerk’s website, seeks to force a vote on the Senate’s already adopted $14 billion aid package to Israel.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s rejection of the Senate’s aid package prompted this move, following his failed attempt to pass a $17.6 billion unconditional aid package lacking conditions on military aid to Israel.
The petition, introduced by Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern (D-MA), has gained initial support from Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), and Matt Cartwright (D-PA).
With Democrats holding 213 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, there is potential for disaffected Republicans to collaborate with Democrats, achieving the 218 votes needed to initiate a procedural discharge petition and bypass Speaker Johnson’s block.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“At a time when the far-right Israeli government openly dismisses the United States, starves the population of Gaza, and threatens escalation by invading Rafah, the United States should not be handing over $14 billion in aid.”
“Individual action is paramount. By contacting your U.S. Representatives, concerned citizens can demand accountability in taxpayer fund allocation, contributing to justice and human rights efforts for all, including Palestinians affected by U.S.-funded violence and Israeli policies.”
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com