AIPAC PAC

Rep. Jimmy Panetta has been a steadfast and vocal supporter of America’s alliance with Israel. Serving his fifth term representing the central California coast, Panetta backed supplemental security assistance for the Jewish state and cosponsored and voted for bills that sanction foreign ships and refineries that process Iranian petroleum and the Islamic regime's ballistic missile program. In addition, Panetta signed a letter urging the Biden Administration to increase its deterrence of Iran's nuclear program and backed another letter calling for continued security assistance to the Israelis with no further conditions. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack, he declared, “The violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens needs to be condemned and confronted. I stand with the people of Israel as they mourn their losses. The United States must stand firm in our support for the nation of Israel as it defends its people.” Panetta has traveled to Israel twice with AIPAC’s sister foundation, in 2017 and 2023.

Rep. Jay Obernolte has been as a supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship over his three terms representing San Bernardino County. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack, Obernolte stated, “I stand with our ally Israel as it defends itself in the wake of this morning’s deadly attack by Hamas that has killed hundreds and injured many more. The United States must support our ally by redoubling financial pressure against terrorism and reaffirming our stance against Hamas’ number one backer, Iran.” Obernolte also voted for supplemental security assistance for the Jewish state and cosponsored and voted for legislation which sanctions foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum and individuals tied to the Islamic Regime's ballistic missile program. In addition, he signed a letter denouncing South Africa’s claims of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Obernolte traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in February 2022.

Rep. Raul Ruiz has supported strengthening relations between the U.S. and Israel over his seven terms in Congress representing Indio. After October 7th, he cosponsored and voted for legislation backing Israel and affirming its right to self-defense while condemning Hamas and its barbaric attack on the Jewish state. He also said, “I strongly condemn today’s attacks against Israel by Hamas militants. I stand by our ally Israel and their right to defend themselves. I also call on Hamas to release those they have captured and are holding hostage. Bringing any harm to innocent civilians is callous and cowardly.” Ruiz backed supplemental security assistance to the Jewish state, and also signed on to a letter encouraging the Appropriations Committee to continue allocating security assistance to Israel without further political conditions. Ruiz voiced his opposition to BDS by signing a resolution denouncing the campaign. And he voted for bills that sanction foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum as well as individuals tied to the Islamic regime’s ballistic missile program. Ruiz traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2013.

Rep. George Whitesides has been a supporter of the U.S.–Israel relationship during his first term representing exurban Los Angeles. A member of the Armed Services Committee, the freshman cosponsored the U.S. Israel Defense Partnership Act and the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act. Following the start of Israel’s air campaign against Iranian nuclear targets, Whitesides said, “The government of Iran, which has sown death and destruction across the Middle East for decades, cannot be allowed to develop an operational nuclear weapon, and we must stand with our ally Israel.”

Rep. George Whitesides has been a supporter of the U.S.–Israel relationship during his first term representing exurban Los Angeles. A member of the Armed Services Committee, the freshman cosponsored the U.S. Israel Defense Partnership Act and the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act. Following the start of Israel’s air campaign against Iranian nuclear targets, Whitesides said, “The government of Iran, which has sown death and destruction across the Middle East for decades, cannot be allowed to develop an operational nuclear weapon, and we must stand with our ally Israel.”

Rep. Laura Friedman has been a supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship since her 2024 election to represent this Glendale and Burbank-based district. The freshman cosponsored the U.S. Israel Defense Partnership Act and the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act. When Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites, Friedman said, “There is no question that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and its destabilizing regional behavior, including its direct sponsorship of terrorist activities across the world, pose a serious threat to U.S. interests, Israel, and our allies in the region. In the last few days, international nuclear regulators have determined that Iran was in violation of its nonproliferation obligations and possibly moving closer to producing nuclear weapons. For the sake of international stability, this Iranian regime must never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Rep. Gil Cisneros, who is in his second nonconsecutive term representing a Baldwin Park and Covina-based Southern California district, has shown his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. In his first term, the Californian signed a number of pro-Israel letters, including one urging the administration to reject the politically motivated investigations of the ICC. He also voted to reject the BDS movement. After Iran attacked Israel in October 2024, Cisneros said, “I strongly condemn the attack by Iran on Israel today. I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself from any threat. Iran through its support of terrorism and by its own actions only means to destabilize the region and we cannot let them succeed.” Cisneros traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2019.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, a key member of the House Democratic leadership, has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel alliance while representing San Bernardino since 2014. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for legislation that affirms U.S.-Israel cooperation following Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack, Aguilar declared, “I just voted to condemn Hamas and the horrific acts of violence and terror they have committed. We must show the world that the U.S. will continue to support our ally Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, as they defend themselves against terrorism.” Further, Aguilar voted for bills that extend restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and sanction ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum. Aguilar also voted for supplemental security assistance. Aguilar has traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation multiple times.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez has been a supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship throughout his five terms representing central Los Angeles. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack, Gomez strongly stated, “I condemn this brazen terrorist attack by Hamas against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The United States stands with Israel and its right to defend itself against such attacks.” Gomez backed supplemental security assistance for the Jewish state, and he cosponsored bills that extend restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and sanction foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian oil. The Californian also cosponsored legislation that reauthorizes U.S.-Israel energy cooperation, bilateral projects in developing countries, as well as the U.S. War Reserve Stockpile in Israel. He also backed legislation condemning the BDS movement. Gomez traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2010 and 2019.

Rep. Norma Torres has been a leader on the U.S.-Israel relationship over her six terms representing the Fontana and Ontario areas of Southern California. A member of the Appropriations Committee, Torres has pushed to ensure that the annual State Foreign Operations Appropriations bill includes full funding of security assistance to Israel under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. She has worked closely with committee leaders to prevent new conditions from being added to that aid. Additionally, Torres has cosponsored and voted for bills that sanction foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum as well as individuals and entities associated with the Iranian regime. She also supported legislation that inhibits Iran’s ballistic missile program. In addition to voting for a resolution affirming the U.S.’ support for Israel after Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack, Torres declared, “I strongly condemn the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on the Israeli people this morning. There is no justification for this terrorism, and the United States stands with Israel.” Torres traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2012 and 2024.

Rep. Lou Correa has been a friend of the U.S.-Israel relationship throughout his five terms representing an Anaheim-based district. Correa cosponsored and voted for legislation that sanctions individuals and entities associated with Iran's ballistic missile program in addition to supporting a bill that sanctions individuals who provide the Islamic Regime with certain types of weapons. He also voted for supplemental security assistance to Israel amidst its war in Gaza and cosponsored legislation that establishes a research and development fund to deepen defense collaboration to meet these emerging threats. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack, Correa declared, "This morning's heinous attack on Israel must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. My heart is heavy, and I'm praying for every innocent life lost. We must never relent in our support for Israel and its citizens—as well as their right to self-defense." Correa traveled to Israel with AIPAC's sister foundation in 2017.

Throughout his four terms serving the Central Valley, Rep. Josh Harder has been a friend of the U.S.-Israel alliance. In addition to cosponsoring and voting for a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack, Harder declared, “I am absolutely horrified by today’s attacks on innocent civilians in Israel. Pam and I send our prayers to all the families affected by this terrifying violence. This is clearly an act of terrorism and I stand with Israel’s right to defend herself and her people.” A member of the Appropriations Committee, the Californian backed supplemental security assistance for the Jewish state and cosponsored bills that extend restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and sanction ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum. Previously, he supported legislation enhancing the Abraham Accords, and he signed a letter advising the administration to oppose the ICC’s predetermined investigations against Israel. In addition, Harder expressed his disapproval of BDS in 2019 by backing a resolution rejecting the campaign.

Serving his fifteenth term representing the southern and western San Fernando Valley, Rep. Brad Sherman has been an unwavering champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship. After October 7th, he cosponsored and voted for legislation backing Israel and affirming its right to self-defense while condemning Hamas and its barbaric attack on the Jewish state. He also stated: “I strongly condemn the horrific attacks in #Israel by Hamas and other terrorists. The assault demonstrates Hamas’ depravity: terrorists have taken Israeli civilians hostage, including women and the elderly, and have murdered families in their cars.” A member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman backed supplemental security assistance to Israel. He also cosponsored and voted for legislation that sanctions foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum, as well as entities tied to the Islamic Regime's ballistic missile program, and he signed a letter denouncing South Africa’s claims of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Additionally, Sherman was a signatory on a letter urging the administration to implement both sanctions and diplomacy to address Iran’s malign behavior, and he signed another letter advising the Appropriations Committee to continue granting Israel security assistance without added conditions. Sherman also backed legislation which incentivizes the development of the Abraham Accords. In 2020, Sherman cosigned a letter advocating that the administration reject the ICC’s one-sided probes of Israel. In 2019, he supported a resolution rejecting the discriminatory BDS campaign, and in 2015, he voted against the Iran Deal. Sherman traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2013.

Rep. Ted Lieu has been a vocal and determined supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship throughout his six terms representing the Los Angeles area and has supported countless pro-Israel pieces of legislation. For instance, Lieu backed supplemental security assistance, and he cosponsored and voted for bills that sanction foreign ports and refineries that process Iranian petroleum as well as individuals and entities tied to the Iranian regime. The former Air Force JAG officer has also cosponsored and voted for legislation that inhibits Iran’s ballistic missile program and a bill that deepened U.S.-Israel defense cooperation. In addition to supporting a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack, Lieu declared, “Hamas is a genocidal, homicidal, religiously fanatical terrorist organization. Hamas beheads babies. There can be no peace until Hamas is dismantled. The American people have stood, and will continue to stand, with Israel for as long as it takes to destroy Hamas.” Lieu traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2015.