CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN STATEMENT ON MASSIE AMENDMENT

Congressman Pat Ryan Statement on Massie Amendment

"The safety and security of every member of our Hudson Valley community is the most important thing to me. I also believe in Israel’s right to exist and am committed to the fight against anti-Semitism.

"The driving force behind every vote I take is how it will serve our community, and this is no different. While hardworking families here in the Hudson Valley struggle to afford basic necessities, I could not in good conscience vote to send $3.3 billion more taxpayer dollars overseas to support Netanyahu’s increasingly corrupt and dangerous government. I have had countless conversations with constituents across our district on this topic and will continue to do so. This was a decision I do not take lightly and was based on those conversations and what I believe is best for our community and our country.

"This vote does not represent an abandonment of the state of Israel or the Jewish people. It does not deny the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization. It does not neglect the profound grief of October 7th, nor the devastation in the years that followed. It does not change my longstanding commitment to Israel’s right to exist, and to urgently addressing the growing scourge of anti-Semitism.

"What this vote does represent is a reset. An opportunity to step back and rebuild towards a better future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the Middle East and to send a message to Netanyahu's government that the status quo is unacceptable. I stand ready to work with an allied Israeli government that recommits itself to democratic values and meaningful progress toward a two-state solution.” 

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