J. Luis Correa
Correa appeared at a September 2024 press conference on whether Israel's restriction of Gaza aid violated U.S. arms transfer law. In November 2023 he backed Israel's "right and obligation to defend itself" and urged ceasefire negotiations. In 2021 he signed a letter urging U.S. funding for Israel's Iron Dome.
On September 26, 2024, Correa appeared at a press conference with Rep. Jason Crow and other House Democrats on accusations that Israel violated U.S. arms sales law by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza, a violation that could trigger suspension of offensive weapons transfers under existing statute.
In a November 7, 2023 joint statement he and colleagues said they support "Israel's right and obligation to defend itself" and rejected the phrase "from the river to the sea." On December 1, 2023 he called for temporary ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure hostage releases and the delivery of humanitarian aid, and restated his commitment to a two-state solution.
His earlier record runs in both directions on oversight and support. In June 2021 he co-signed a letter urging U.S. funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense. In May 2022 he co-led a letter to the State Department and FBI seeking a U.S. investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, asking whether U.S.-supplied weapons were involved. He traveled to Israel on delegation trips in 2017 and May 2022.
Tracked votes: backed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 4 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- 2021-06-02 [Earlier record]: Co-signed a bipartisan letter to President Biden urging quick fulfillment of requests for additional U.S. security assistance for Israel's Iron Dome after the May 2021 hostilities. Gottheimer release (source page undated; date is the first search’s inline date).
- 2022-05-19 [Earlier record]: Co-led a letter to Secretary Blinken and the FBI requesting a U.S. investigation into the death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, asking whether U.S.-supplied military equipment or weapons were involved. Jewish Insider, Arab Center DC.
- 2023-11-07 [Months after October 7, 2023; verified]: Joint statement: "We support Israel's right and obligation to defend itself — to protect its citizens, secure its borders, and rescue its people held hostage in Gaza." Press release.
- 2024-09-26 [Current position; verified]: Appeared at a press conference with Rep. Jason Crow and other House Democrats on accusations that Israel violated U.S. arms sales law by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza, which could trigger suspension of offensive weapons transfers. Jewish Insider (article published 2024-12-13; it confirms the September 26, 2024 event date).
Characterization of the conflict
- 2019-05-15 [Earlier record]: Statement endorsing a negotiated two-state solution as the only pathway to peace; sent a letter to President Trump urging support for two states. Press release.
- 2021-05-18 [Earlier record]: "Israel is our friend and ally and has a right to defend itself"; said Hamas "exploited a volatile situation to initiate hostilities"; called for a ceasefire to protect civilians on both sides. Voice of OC.
- 2023-10-12 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Called the October 7 attacks an "appalling terrorist assault against Israel"; focused on helping constituents evacuate. Press release.
- 2023-11-07 [Months after October 7, 2023; verified]: Joint statement: the war began with a "barbaric terrorist attack on October 7, 2023" by Hamas; "neither the Palestinian nor Israeli people can have peace as long as Hamas still rules over Gaza and threatens Israel." Press release.
- 2023-12-01 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Called for temporary ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas for hostage releases and delivery of humanitarian aid; reiterated commitment to a two-state solution with mutual security and dignity. Press release.
- 2024-07-23 [Current position; EXCLUDED from card; misattribution risk; source did not open]: The first search attributes to Correa: "Hamas carried out the barbaric attacks of October 7th because it feared that the region was on a path to peace." The only source is a Facebook post on Rep. Brad Schneider's page (would not open) that does not name Correa; the words appear to be Schneider's. Not usable.
Rhetoric and lobbying
- 2017 [Earlier record; year-only inline date]: Traveled to Israel on an educational delegation sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF). LegiStorm (published 2017-03-20).
- 2019-05-15 [Earlier record]: Published "Investing In Our Partnership With Israel," calling the U.S.-Israel relationship "deeply rooted in common bonds" and vital for Middle East stability. Press release.
- May 2022 [Earlier record; month-only inline date anchored near source's 2022-07-11 publication]: Participated in a Congressional delegation trip to Israel organized by the U.S.-Israel Education Association (USIEA). Arab Center DC.
- 2023-07-17 [Earlier record]: Joined Democratic colleagues in a statement reaffirming the "ironclad U.S.-Israel relationship," calling Israel "the only vibrant, progressive, and inclusive democracy in the region." Press release.
- 2024-04-18 [Current position]: Hosted a delegation from Israel's Druze community, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, in his Washington office. CAM.
Safety and antisemitism (context, not a weapons or funding position)
- 2019-02-05 [Earlier record]: Met with AJC Los Angeles representatives in Santa Ana on combating antisemitism and Jewish community security. AJC.
- 2023-11-07 [Months after October 7, 2023; verified]: Joint statement rejecting "from the river to the sea" as "a phrase used by many, including Hamas, as a rallying cry for the destruction of the State of Israel and genocide of the Jewish people." Press release.
- March 2024 [Current position; month-only inline date anchored to source published 2024-03-19]: After repeated demonstrations by pro-Palestinian activists outside his Santa Ana home, Santa Ana officials weighed limits on residential protests. Voice of OC. A related YouTube video was among the sources found (link, undated, does not name Correa in metadata).
- 2024-08-07 [Current position; EXCLUDED from card; misattribution risk; source did not open]: The first search attributes to Correa: "No one should ever fear going to their house of worship. Period." alongside the Right to Worship Act. The only source is a Facebook post on Sen. Elissa Slotkin's page (would not open) that does not name Correa; the words appear to be Slotkin's. Not usable.
Also in this race: David Pan (Republican) · 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.