Brad Schneider
Schneider objected when the administration paused a weapons shipment to Israel, saying he was "deeply concerned" and that "the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages." He welcomed aid that replenished Iron Dome and also funded "long overdue humanitarian aid for civilians" in Gaza.
Schneider represents Illinois's 10th District on Chicago's North Shore and is running for re-election. Beyond his votes, he has spent years legislating on the mechanics of what the United States sends.
In May 2024 he objected to the pause on a heavy-weapons shipment: "while I am grateful for all President Biden has done since October 7th to support Israel's security and increase humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, I am deeply concerned about the Administration's recent decision to pause a shipment of weapons as well as the President's comments about withholding security assistance to Israel. I fear the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages." The same statement says he shares the aim of "a sustainable pause to the fighting in Gaza" and agrees "we must do everything possible to minimize civilian harm."
On the April 2024 supplemental he set out both halves: it "critically replenishes Iron Dome and other defensive systems, as well as providing artillery and other munitions," and "crucially, these bills also provide desperately needed and long overdue humanitarian aid for civilians in all of these regions, including Gaza."
His earlier record is about preserving Israel's military edge over other buyers: he introduced the Defending Israel's QME Act in 2017 and the Guaranteeing Israel's QME Act in 2020, and led nine House Democrats in urging the administration to protect that edge amid planned F-35 sales to the United Arab Emirates.
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
- [Position, 2024-05-10] Response to the delayed weapons shipment, opened and confirmed word for word: "I share the Administration's desire to help bring a sustainable pause to the fighting in Gaza and bring home the more than 130 hostages, including 8 Americans. I also agree we must do everything possible to minimize civilian harm while taking the necessary steps to defeat Hamas and end its reign of terror." And: "while I am grateful for all President Biden has done since October 7th to support Israel's security and increase humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, I am deeply concerned about the Administration's recent decision to pause a shipment of weapons as well as the President's comments about withholding security assistance to Israel. I fear the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages, not just to the government and peo[ple of Israel...]."
- [Position, 2024-04-20] Statement on passage of the national security funding, confirmed verbatim: "The Israel security supplemental critically replenishes Iron Dome and other defensive systems, as well as providing artillery and other munitions and funds to procure more advanced systems, as it counters attacks from multiple fronts including from Iran, Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah." And: "Crucially, these bills also provide desperately needed and long overdue humanitarian aid for civilians in all of these regions, including Gaza, as well as necessary funds for US military operations."
- [Position, 2024-04-10] Floor speech urging immediate passage of emergency military aid for Israel while opposing H.Res. 1117. Not opened.
- [Earlier record, 2017-06-09] Co-introduced the Defending Israel's QME Act of 2017 (H.R. 2833), requiring executive consultation with Israel before authorizing U.S. military sales to other Middle Eastern states.
- [Earlier record, 2020-09-11] Led nine House Democrats urging the administration to safeguard Israel's qualitative military edge amid reports of planned F-35 sales to the United Arab Emirates.
- [Earlier record, 2020-10-02] Introduced the Guaranteeing Israel's QME Act of 2020 (H.R. 8494), requiring presidential consultation with Israel and congressional reporting on Middle East arms sales affecting its military advantage.
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card. They are mixed, and the April and May 2024 statements are his own account of the distinction he draws.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2024-04-20] Same statement, confirmed verbatim: the bills "provide desperately needed and long overdue humanitarian aid for civilians in all of these regions, including Gaza."
- [Position, 2024-05-10] Credits the administration with having "increase[d] humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza" (same release).
- [Position, 2024-06-14] WTTW interview: described the region at a "crossroads" and argued for a "day after" vision including recovery for Gaza. Not opened.
Characterization of the conflict
- [After October 7, 2023-10-29] Floor remarks condemning Hamas, saying its "aspirations are no different than Al-Qaeda or ISIS."
- [Position, 2024-11-27] Statement welcoming the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
- [Position, 2025-01-23] Statement praising the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.
- [Position, 2025-03-21] Statement blaming Hamas for the breakdown of negotiations, calling its continued holding of hostages "reprehensible."
- [Position, 2025-07-25] Further statement, as reported; source not identified.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Earlier record, 2019-03-21] Co-introduced H.Res. 246 opposing the global BDS movement and reaffirming support for a negotiated two-state solution. Anti-boycott material is outside what this project tracks on cards.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [After October 7, 2023-11-26] Spoke against what he described as "open and accepted anti-Semitism on college campuses" after the October 7 attacks.
Also in this race: Carl Lambrecht (Republican) · All Illinois 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.