U.S. Rep. Summer Lee votes against pro-Israel resolution on Hamas attack

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, voted against a pro-Israel resolution that passed the House on Wednesday in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on the Middle Eastern country.

Lee, who has condemned Hamas’ recent attack on Israel, said she voted against Wednesday’s Meeks-McCaul resolution because it fell short of acknowledging the war’s impact on innocent Palestinians, United Nations humanitarian aid workers, journalists and others.

In a statement, she called Hamas’ actions against Israel “horrifying and unjustifiable,” but said the resolution sponsored by Republican lawmakers doesn’t move the war closer to peace. Lee has sponsored a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“This resolution does not acknowledge the overwhelming loss of life and humanity of Palestinians which moves us further from — not closer to — a just and lasting peace,” said Lee. “This is a critical mistake that falls short of what the world needs in this moment, which is why I voted no.”

Lee was joined in opposing the resolution by just nine lawmakers, mostly progressive Democrats and one Republican. Six other Democrats voted present.

A total of 412 lawmakers supported the resolution, including other Western Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall; Mike Kelly, R-Butler; and Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters.

The resolution was the first bill brought forth by the House after a three-week absence caused by the ouster of a House Speaker and the election of his replacement.

The resolution is non-binding and largely a symbolic gesture that states the U.S. “stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.”

Lee said she advocated for changes to the legislation, including acknowledging the thousands of Palestinian civilians killed, but she said Republicans in the majority rejected her efforts. Earlier in the month, Lee co-sponsored a resolution calling for the immediate return of all hostages abducted by Hamas.

As of Thursday evening, more than 7,000 people in Gaza have been killed and 18,400 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli government has said that 1,400 people in Israel have been killed and more than 5,400 injured since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.

Lee’s critics are calling out her vote.

Bhavini Patel, a Democrat who is challenging Lee in the 2024 election, said Lee’s vote fails to acknowledge the pain and trauma in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.

“Congresswoman Lee’s vote today was unacceptable and put her on the fringe and out of touch with the people of this district,” Patel said.

Lee’s congressional district includes Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill, which is home to the region’s largest concentration of Jewish residents. She met with family members of those killed in the Tree of Life synagogue attack in February and has advocated for millions of dollars in congressional earmarks to go to mental health services for Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and education programs to combat antisemitism.

During her congressional race last year, Lee became the target of attack ads from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which advocates for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.