Don Davis
Davis co-authored a March 2024 op-ed against "attaching any strings to assistance" for Israel, arguing the United States "must do our utmost to ensure Israel has everything it needs." In 2026 he introduced a bill deepening U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
Davis represents North Carolina's 1st District and is running for re-election.
The clearest statement of his position is an op-ed he co-authored in March 2024 with Rep. August Pfluger and JINSA's Michael Makovsky, published in the Washington Examiner under the title "Conditioning U.S. Aid to Israel Would Be a Mistake". It argues against "attaching any strings to assistance for our strongest ally in the Middle East," that "we therefore must do our utmost to ensure Israel has everything it needs to prevail in this conflict," and that "it is strong U.S. support for Israel that will make Israelis and Palestinians safer." The wording is the three authors' jointly.
In February 2026 he and Rep. Ronny Jackson introduced H.R. 7540, the United States-Israel FUTURES Act, to establish a joint defense technology initiative. His own words: "As emerging threats like unmanned systems and electronic warfare evolve, technical cooperation stands as a critical pillar in preparing our servicemembers for the challenges of tomorrow."
In May 2024 he was one of 26 House Democrats who signed a letter objecting to the administration's pause on a shipment of heavy munitions to Israel.
His recorded votes appear as badges on this card. On the July 2026 amendment to cut the funding, WFAE reports that he did not vote.
Tracked votes: backed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 5 of 5 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2024-03-27] "Conditioning U.S. Aid to Israel Would Be a Mistake", Washington Examiner, opened and confirmed word for word. The byline reads "Michael Makovsky, PhD and Rep. Don Davis and Rep. August Pfluger," so he is a named co-author and the position is his, but every sentence is the three authors' collective wording. Confirmed spans: proposals to condition aid should be rejected, "attaching any strings to assistance for our strongest ally in the Middle East"; "we should also recognize that Israel's victory against terrorism will be a victory against America's adversaries and that we therefore must do our utmost to ensure Israel has everything it needs to prevail in this conflict"; "It is strong U.S. support for Israel that will make Israelis and Palestinians safer"; and "It is Hamas, not Israel, that bears ultimate responsibility for the suffering and death in Gaza."
⚠ **The research misattributed a quotation here.** It reported that Davis said conditioning aid would be a "gigantic mistake." Read in place, that phrase belongs to **President Joe Biden**: the op-ed says Biden "had called proposals to condition aid 'a gigantic mistake' and an 'absolutely outrageous' idea when running for president." The op-ed endorses the sentiment; the words are not Davis's, and they are not used as his.
- [Position, 2026-02-19] His release on H.R. 7540, opened and confirmed word for word. He and Rep. Ronny Jackson introduced the United States-Israel FUTURES Act of 2026, establishing a joint defense technology cooperation initiative; Sens. Ted Budd and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Senate companion. His words: "By establishing the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, we are fortifying a vital partnership, accelerating joint development, and transforming groundbreaking research into operational capabilities," and "As emerging threats like unmanned systems and electronic warfare evolve, technical cooperation stands as a critical pillar in preparing our servicemembers for the challenges of tomorrow."
⚠ **A second misattribution in the research.** It credited Davis with "We must strengthen our military and technological capabilities to counter continued and future threats in the region." That sentence is **Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's**, quoted in the same release. Not used as his.
- [Position, 2024-05-10] Signed a letter with 25 other House Democrats objecting to the pause on a heavy munitions shipment to Israel (Jerusalem Post, the lead sponsors' release). A 26-signatory letter, so no individual quote is drawn from it. Not opened.
- [2026-07-16] He did not vote on the amendment cutting the funding (WFAE, opened and confirmed). WFAE also offers its own explanation of the non-vote; that is the outlet's framing of his motive and is not carried here.
- [After October 7, 2023-11-07] Said that "while America continues to uphold Israel's right to defend itself and rescue its citizens held hostage by Hamas, I also support President Biden's statements recognizing Israel's obligation to adhere to international law" (BPR). From the weeks right after October 7; not used on the card. Not opened.
- His recorded votes appear as badges on this card.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- No distinct position located. The March 2024 op-ed addresses humanitarian assistance only to argue that Hamas has diverted it.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2024-03-27] The op-ed he co-authored describes Hamas as "genocidal" and "Iranian-backed," attributes ultimate responsibility for suffering in Gaza to Hamas, and describes the use of human shields as "not only a war crime but also a cynical ploy" (confirmed verbatim; collective wording).
- [Position, 2026-03-11, reported] At public forums framed the conflict around regional instability driven by Iran and its proxy networks. Not opened.
- [Position, 2024-03-12, reported] Called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.
- [Prior, 2023-08-17] After a congressional delegation trip to Israel and the West Bank, where he met Israeli leaders and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Before 2023-10-07, so prior band. Not opened.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [After October 7, 2024-01-25, reported] Joined the bipartisan Congressional Abraham Accords Caucus.
- [Position, 2024-06-04] Voted to sanction the International Criminal Court. Not opened.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [Position, 2025-06-06] One of 41 lawmakers signing a letter to Meta, TikTok and X on violent antisemitic content (source). Group letter; safety context, never an answer about U.S. weapons or funding.
Also in this race: Laurie Buckhout (Republican) · All North Carolina 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.