Maxine Dexter

Democrat · U.S. House, Oregon District 3

Dexter voted in 2026 to cut $3.3 billion from U.S. aid to Israel, co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act, and said the U.S. “must halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel”. She co-sponsors the Gaza genocide-recognition resolution; after Holocaust-comparison criticism she apologized, affirming the Holocaust is “without comparison”.

Dexter, a physician, has represented Oregon’s 3rd District since January 2025. Her two recorded votes appear as badges on this card: No on the amendment to cut $500 million for Israeli missile-defense programs, Yes on the 2026 amendment to cut $3.3 billion from aid to Israel, which she joined a 25-member statement explaining.

In August 2025, per Jewish Insider, she said the U.S. "must halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and ensure immediate, sufficient and sustained humanitarian aid into Gaza", adding "Netanyahu’s war crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza shatter any path toward those aims"; she co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act the same month. Welcoming the January 2025 ceasefire, she wrote: "As a mother and physician, I am devastated by the horrific violence of these past fifteen months." In August 2025 she co-led congressional doctors demanding humanitarian access to Gaza.

She co-sponsors the resolution recognizing genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. In November 2025, after a House floor speech drawing on a Holocaust Memorial Museum visit, the museum condemned her comments as "unconscionable"; in December she apologized in a letter to Portland’s Jewish community, writing "the experience of the Holocaust is without comparison", while telling local leaders she would remain a co-sponsor of the resolution. In May 2026 she swore off AIPAC money in a Zeteo interview after previously accepting pro-Israel support.

She joined Oregon’s August 2025 delegation statement condemning antisemitic vandalism while distinguishing criticism of the Israeli government from antisemitism.

Tracked votes: opposed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 1 of 2 recorded votes.

Research

U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel

U.S. aid to Palestinians

Characterization of the conflict

Related rhetoric and lobbying

Safety and antisemitism

Race and status context

Also in this race: Loran Ayles (Republican) · All Oregon 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.