Mike Quigley
Quigley co-sponsors the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act: "It's time we evolve how we provide military aid to Israel to ensure civilian lives are protected and international laws are applied consistently." He has also called for U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state.
Quigley represents Illinois's 5th District in Chicago and is running for re-election. Beyond his votes, he has moved publicly from opposing how aid was packaged to backing legislation that would condition it.
In April 2026 he co-sponsored Rep. Delia Ramirez's Block the Bombs Act and Rep. Sean Casten's Ceasefire Compliance Act, saying: "After witnessing the horrific actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the illegal and ill-conceived war with Iran, I have decided to cosponsor both." He is explicit about the limit he draws: this can be done "while still ensuring defensive weapons, such as the Iron Dome" continue, and he would rather condition aid than withhold it. In his words the Block the Bombs Act "could be strengthened, including by providing clearer incentives for Israel to change its behavior by conditioning aid, rather than withholding it." The Casten bill he describes as restricting Israel from using U.S.-origin weapons if it breaks the October 2025 ceasefire terms.
A year earlier, in a February 2025 op-ed, he argued the President should use "leverage, in the form of billions of dollars in military aid" to keep Netanyahu at the table, and "make clear that if Netanyahu ends the peace deal, the U.S. will withhold certain offensive military aid."
In August 2025 he called for U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as untenable and criticizing the failure of aid-delivery mechanisms.
Tracked votes: opposed 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, 2026-04-23] Statement on U.S.-Israel relations, opened and confirmed word for word. He co-sponsored Ramirez's Block the Bombs Act and Casten's Ceasefire Compliance Act: "After witnessing the horrific actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the illegal and ill-conceived war with Iran, I have decided to cosponsor both the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act. It's time we evolve how we provide military aid to Israel to ensure civilian lives are protected and international laws are applied consistently. We can do this while still ensuring defensive weapons, such as the Iron [Dome, continue]." On the bill's design: "The Block the Bombs Act could be strengthened, including by providing clearer incentives for Israel to change its behavior by conditioning aid, rather than withholding it. But the bill is an important step toward rethinking how we provide military aid to Israel. I'm also cosponsoring Representative Casten's Ceasefire Compliance Act to restrict Israel from using U.S.-origin weapons if they break the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement." And: "We are at a turning point in the U.S.'s relationship with Israel."
- [Position, 2025-02-11] Op-ed, confirmed verbatim: "Trump needs to use his leverage, in the form of billions of dollars in military aid, to keep Netanyahu at the table. Trump and his team should make clear that if Netanyahu ends the peace deal, the U.S. will withhold certain offensive military aid." (The published text uses an em dash around the leverage clause; rendered here with commas to satisfy house style, wording unchanged.)
- [After October 7, 2023-11-02] Statement opposing the standalone $14.3 billion Israel package because it was tied to IRS budget cuts, arguing support for Israel should stay nonpartisan. From the weeks right after October 7; not used on the card.
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card. They are mixed, and the statements above are his own account of why: he has opposed packages over how they were paid for or conditioned while backing defensive systems.
- An advocacy watchlist entry (Bought by Zionism) was consulted; advocacy sources never carry a card (C3).
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2025-08-05] Called for recognition of a Palestinian state, describing Gaza's humanitarian situation as "untenable" due to civilian deaths and forced starvation and criticizing the failure of aid-delivery mechanisms (CBS Chicago coverage). Not opened.
- [Position, 2025-08-06] Arab News interview on the conduct of the war and civilian casualties. Not opened.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2024-03-13] Criticized Netanyahu's military strategy: excessive destruction and civilian loss were ineffective, served as a recruitment tool for Hamas, and damaged trust with allies.
- [Position, 2024-10-07] One-year anniversary statement: called the attack "the greatest assault on the Jewish people in Israel's history," affirmed Israel's right to self-defense, and called for a two-state solution.
- [Position, 2025-01-19] Statement on the ceasefire: "unimaginable devastation," noting nearly 47,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children.
- [Position, 2025-01-15] House floor remarks calling for a diplomatic end to the "brutal war" (video; source not opened).
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [Position, 2024-02-09] Statement condemning antisemitic flyers left on vehicles in Lincoln Park.
Also in this race: Tom Hanson (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.