Luz M. Rivas

Democrat · U.S. House, California District 29

With the 2016 memorandum for U.S. military aid to Israel expiring, Rivas said in July 2026 "change to our Middle East policy must happen to ensure the safety and security of both Israelis and Palestinians." She voted against a Massie amendment she called poorly drafted, saying it endangered humanitarian aid.

On July 15, 2026 Rivas explained her vote against Republican Amendment 8, the Massie amendment to the State and foreign operations appropriations bill. She said, "Unfortunately, while I disagree with many of the actions of far-right Netanyahu, the Republican amendment is a poorly drafted and hyper-partisan amendment," and that "this amendment endangers the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid." Noting that the 2016 ten-year memorandum of understanding for U.S. military aid to Israel is near expiration, she said, "With the expiration of this MOU imminent, I believe change to our Middle East policy must happen to ensure the safety and security of both Israelis and Palestinians."

On October 7, 2025, marking two years since the Hamas attack, she said, "Two years ago, Hamas launched a deadly terrorist attack on Israel that resulted in the death of innocent lives and over 250 people taken hostage, including Americans," and "over the last two years, there have been too many innocent civilians in Gaza who have been subjected to loss and pain." She called for a resolution that brings hostages home, ensures humanitarian aid delivery, and ends the war.

In August 2025 she took part in an educational delegation trip to Israel organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, an AIPAC affiliate, with a group of House Democrats; reported itinerary items included meetings with Israeli families and government leaders and a review of Gaza humanitarian aid operations. On June 30, 2025 she met with a Jewish Federation Los Angeles delegation on security policies for nonprofits and faith-based institutions. As safety context: she supported state nonprofit security grant funding as an Assemblymember in 2023, attended a 2025 interfaith seder, condemned a December 2025 antisemitic attack in Australia, and in March 2026 co-signed a 148-member letter seeking $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Tracked votes: backed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 2 of 2 recorded votes.

Research

Searched 2026-08-10 for Rivas and antisemitism, ceasefire, military aid, Israel/Palestine statements). Recorded key votes (NDAA FY26 missile-defense amendment, H.R. 8595) and the AIPAC funding total are badges and are not restated.

U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel

Characterization of the conflict

Rhetoric and lobbying

Safety and antisemitism (context, not a weapons or funding position)

Identity sources

Also in this race: Angélica María Dueñas (Democrat) · All California candidates.

See the full record →

But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.