Representative Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, is one of the most vocal proponents of U.S. support for Israel, a stance that is notably influenced by the $747,274 in campaign contributions he has received from AIPAC. This financial backing has undeniably shaped Scalise's voting record, leading him to consistently support pro-Israel and anti-Palestine legislation, including his vote in favor of sending $3.8 billion in unconditional military aid to Israel. This aid has enabled Israel to continue its brutal genocide campaign against the Gaza population, contributing to a humanitarian catastrophe that has resulted in over 180,000 projected deaths according to The Lancet.
Scalise's rhetoric further underscores his alignment with Israel's military agenda, as evidenced by his speech on the House floor advocating for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. In this speech, Scalise pushed the false narrative that Israel is merely receiving weapons it had already paid for, ignoring the fact that these weapons are heavily subsidized by U.S. taxpayers. "Later today, the House is going to be making a very historic and important vote, and that's whether or not we continue to stand with Israel; whether we're going to ensure that the Biden Administration follows through on their promise to deliver the weapons that in many cases, Israel already paid for," Scalise argued, disregarding the devastating impact these weapons have had on the civilian population in Gaza.
Moreover, Scalise's support for cutting U.S. federal funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reveals his disregard for human life. UNRWA is one of the few organizations providing essential aid, including food, water, and medicine, to the besieged population. By voting to cut this funding, Scalise has further contributed to the suffering of Palestinians, who are already facing famine, disease, and relentless military aggression from Israel. Scalise's is a bought out politician and has sold his constituent’s taxes to fund genocide.
Related Links
Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential, The Lancet, July 2024
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
House passes key foreign aid package, CNN Politics, April 2024
Scalise Calls on Schumer to Take Up Israel Security Assistance Support Act, Steve Scalise Gov., May 2024
