Sanford Bishop
Bishop voted against the July 2026 amendment cutting aid: while it "drew attention to how our support, including military aid, can be misused and abused," its "broad language effectively cut off our nose to spite our face." He opposes "expanding settlements and occupation."
Bishop represents Georgia's 2nd District and is running for re-election.
His July 2026 statement is unusually candid about both halves. On the amendment he voted against: "While it drew attention to how our support, including military aid, can be misused and abused, its broad language effectively cut off our nose to spite our face. I remain committed to supporting the rights, security, freedom, and self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians. I remain opposed to expanding settlements and occupation."
His objection was to reach, not to the concern: "But this amendment does not limit its effects to just Israelis and Palestinians. It jeopardizes the investment we need in regional missile defense and our ability to counter other regional state and non-state groups that threaten the United States." He also noted the amendment "did not enjoy bipartisan support and no Republicans, other than Congressman Massie, supported the measure."
A 2017 statement records his support for the ten-year, $38 billion U.S.-Israel security assistance agreement and for a negotiated two-state solution.
Tracked votes: opposed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 3 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2026-07-16] His statement on the bill and the Massie amendment, opened and confirmed word for word. ⚠ **His office's own description of the amendment: "The amendment prohibited funds in the bill from being used for Israel as well as humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees and civilians in Gaza."** His words: "I also could not support the Massie Amendment. While it drew attention to how our support, including military aid, can be misused and abused, its broad language effectively cut off our nose to spite our face. I remain committed to supporting the rights, security, freedom, and self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians. I remain opposed to expanding settlements and occupation." And: "But this amendment does not limit its effects to just Israelis and Palestinians. It jeopardizes the investment we need in regional missile defense and our ability to counter other regional state and non-state groups that threaten the United States." And: "This amendment did not enjoy bipartisan support and no Republicans, other than Congressman Massie, supported the measure."
- [After October 7, 2023-11-02] Statement opposing the Republican emergency funding bill: supported aid for Israel's defence alongside humanitarian aid for Gaza, opposed tying emergency aid to domestic tax-enforcement cuts. From the weeks right after October 7; not opened.
- [Earlier record, 2017-01-05] Statement on U.S. commitment to Israel, recording support for the ten-year $38 billion security assistance agreement. Prior band; not opened.
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card, and the July 2026 statement is his own explanation of the most recent one.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2026-07-16] His stated reason for opposing the amendment includes its effect on humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees and civilians in Gaza (his office's framing, confirmed verbatim above), and he restates opposition to "expanding settlements and occupation."
- [After October 7, 2023-11-02] Supported humanitarian aid for Gaza inside the emergency package.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2026-07-16] Commitment to "the rights, security, freedom, and self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians" (confirmed).
- [After October 7, 2023-10-07] Statement on the attack and 2023-10-25 support for a bipartisan resolution.
- [Earlier record, 2017-01-05] Reaffirmed commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and co-sponsorship of a supporting resolution, while opposing boycott campaigns.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- Anti-boycott co-sponsorship (2017) is outside what this project tracks on cards; recorded above.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
Also in this race: Matt Day (Republican) · All Georgia 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.