House Democrats are deeply divided ahead of an expected vote this week on the proposed amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to block U.S. funding for Israel, exposing growing tensions within the party over support for Israel and the war in Gaza.

The amendment, attached to a State Department funding bill, would prohibit U.S. funds from going to Israel without carving out humanitarian assistance.

While the measure is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House or survive the Senate, many Democrats view the vote as a symbolic test of the party’s position on Israel.

One House Democrat, speaking anonymously to Axios, said, “Even I’m a lean ‘yes’ and think it’s a crappy amendment,” adding, “For me, it’s more of a signal that something needs to change, and we can’t just provide aid despite how it’s being used.”

The lawmaker predicted “at least 40” Democrats could support the measure.

A second Democrat described the difficult political calculus, telling Axios, “The Jewish caucus is completely split. Some people are voting ‘yes,’ some voting ‘no,’ some voting ‘present.’ All of it is bad. Every option is bad.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., announced Tuesday that he will oppose the amendment.

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