Brian K. Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick said in June 2025 that the United States stands, as it always has, with its ally Israel in shared purpose and mutual defense. He co-introduced legislation to guarantee the U.S. commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge.
Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania's 1st District since 2017 and co-chairs the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.
His June 2025 statement, issued after Israel's strikes on Iran, is his clearest in the position band: "This week, Israel took unilateral action in response to persistent and escalating threats from the Iranian regime. While the United States was not involved in the operation, we stand, as we always have, with our ally Israel in shared purpose and mutual defense. A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat to global stability."
His legislative record is about the terms of the military relationship. In October 2020 he co-introduced bipartisan legislation to guarantee the U.S. commitment to preserving Israel's qualitative military edge, requiring congressional consultation and presidential assessments on military sales in the region.
In October 2024 he described the October 7 attack as a brutal and unprovoked assault on innocent civilians; that statement was not opened, so it is summarised rather than quoted.
On the July 2026 amendment he voted no, and a Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia release applauded him and Rep. Brendan Boyle for that vote.
His recorded votes appear as badges on this card and are consistent with those statements. No statement was located from him on U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Tracked votes: backed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 6 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2025-06-12] His statement after Israel's strikes on Iran, opened and confirmed word for word: "This week, Israel took unilateral action in response to persistent and escalating threats from the Iranian regime. While the United States was not involved in the operation, we stand - as we always have - with our ally Israel in shared purpose and mutual defense. A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat to global stability. The regime's continued pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, and attempts to destabilize the region represent a direct challenge to the security of our allies, the Middle East, and the interests of the United States." The original sets the "as we always have" clause between em dashes.
- [Prior, 2020-10-06] Co-introduced bipartisan legislation on Israel's qualitative military edge, as reported requiring congressional consultation and presidential assessments on military sales in the Middle East. Six years old, prior band. Not opened.
- [Position, 2026-07-16] He voted against the amendment cutting funding. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia applauded him and Rep. Brendan Boyle for supporting U.S. security assistance to Israel; opened and the headline confirmed. That is an organisation's praise for his vote rather than a statement by him, and no words are attributed to him from it. See also pa2-boyle, the only Pennsylvania Democrat to vote the same way.
- His recorded votes appear as badges on this card.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- No statement or documented position located.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2024-10-07] One-year anniversary statement, as reported describing the attack as a brutal and unprovoked assault on innocent civilians and a day of unimaginable horror, and saying Israel will endure. Not opened, so summarised rather than quoted.
- [After October 7, 2023-11-21 and 2023-11-29] Introduced and led a bipartisan resolution calling for Hamas's immediate and unconditional surrender and condemning its use of human shields (the later release). From the weeks right after October 7; not used on the card.
- [After October 7, 2023-10-10] Task force co-chairs' statement condemning the attack. From the weeks right after October 7, and a co-chairs' joint statement.
- [Prior, 2018-07-16] Condemned rocket and incendiary attacks from Gaza, as reported describing them as "acts of terror, carried out with rockets and arson kites, designed to encourage hate and discord." Eight years old, prior band.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Position, 2024-08-20] Co-introduced the bipartisan Stand With Israel Act to confront bias. Not opened.
- [Undated] Endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition (via Legistorm). An endorsement is a third party's decision about him, not a statement by him.
- [Undated] Ripon Advance coverage. Third-party reporting; not opened.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- He co-chairs the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism (April 2024 release). Also a 2020 statement on the Tree of Life attack and 2022 Jerusalem Post coverage. Safety context, never an answer about U.S. weapons or funding.
Also in this race: Bob Harvie (Democrat) · All Pennsylvania 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.