(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 7/16/2026) — The Pennsylvania chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-PA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today commended Reps. Dwight Evans, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Summer Lee, and Chris Deluzio for voting to oppose $3.3 billion in new funding for the Israeli government and strongly condemned the eleven members of the state’s congressional delegation who either voted to maintain the funding or did not attend the vote.
Democrats voting to maintain the funding were Reps. Dwight Evans, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Summer Lee, and Chris Deluzio. All other members of the delegation voted to maintain the funding. The House of Representatives ultimately failed to pass Amendment No. 8 to H.R. 8595, offered by Rep. Thomas Massie, in a 104-314 vote (https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026243). However, a record number of members voted against the funding, including a majority of Democrats.
In a statement, CAIR-PA Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said:
“We commend Reps. Dwight Evans, Madeline Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Summer Lee, and Chris Deluzio for voting to stop the waste of American taxpayer dollars on the Israeli government’s crimes and we strongly condemn the 11 members of our state’s congressional delegation who voted to continue our nation’s complicity in genocide.
“Although today’s vote to end $3.3 billion in taxpayer funding for the Israeli apartheid government did not pass, more members of Congress than ever before—including a majority of Democrats—voted to stop enabling Israeli war crimes that have killed tens of thousands of innocent people, many of them children, and caused a severe humanitarian catastrophe.
“Lawmakers are gradually catching up to the American public, which does not want elected officials to spend their taxpayer dollars on killing children and families across the Middle East. Americans across the political spectrum have engaged their representatives and demanded support for advancing American interests and values, not the whims of the Israeli government.
“The movement for justice must continue until U.S. policy reflects the principles of human rights, equal protection under the law, and respect for international humanitarian rights for all, including the Palestinian people.”
CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed added:
“Western Pennsylvanians deserve elected officials who prioritize human rights and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. We commend Representatives Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio for voting to oppose additional military funding that would contribute to further civilian suffering.
“As more Americans call for accountability and a just, lasting peace, we urge every member of Congress to uphold international humanitarian law and protect the dignity and humanity of all people, including Palestinians.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu, 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com; CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed, 412-606-3601, cmohamed@cair.com.
