But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Scott DesJarlais
- Backed with $15K by PACs we track that support U.S. weapons funding for the government of Israel (lifetime)
- Endorsed by AIPAC
- Sits on House Armed Services
No public statement since January 2024 was found from DesJarlais on U.S. weapons or money for the government of Israel, or on U.S. aid to Palestinians (source-checked research). In 2021 he co-sponsored the Emergency Resupply for IRON DOME Act to resupply Israel's missile defenses.
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You asked Scott DesJarlais where they stand.
Deep Dive
DesJarlais represents Tennessee's 4th District and is running for re-election. His recorded votes on the tracked bills are shown separately on this card; he has no located statement explaining any of them, including his vote against the April 2024 Israel package.
His earlier record is consistent: at a House Armed Services hearing in April 2021 he backed countering Iranian drone threats to Israel, in June 2021 he co-sponsored the Emergency Resupply for IRON DOME Act, and in 2017 he praised the Taylor Force Act, which cut U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority over its payments to families of attackers.
If you want his current position, you are better placed to get it than we are: ask DesJarlais directly, or at a candidate forum, and send us the reply. It goes on this page in his own words.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 5 of 6 tracked votes · Backs 0 of 1 tracked bills to restrict weapons transfers
House Committee on Armed Services
How this mark works
We track key votes on sending U.S. weapons and money to the government of Israel. A check means every tracked vote they cast came down against sending more, on the side of peace and de-escalation. A question mark means a mixed record: they sided with sending up to half of the time. An X means they voted to send more weapons and money in over half of their tracked votes, even as the way those weapons and dollars were being used became more and more obvious. At exactly half, money this election cycle from a lobbying group we track, or an endorsement from a group that backs sending weapons, makes it an X. Only votes actually cast are counted. Where a candidate has no recorded votes on these bills, the mark comes instead from a reviewed reading of their public record (money from the lobbying groups we track, endorsements, and their own words since January 26, 2024). There an X also covers fully backing the conduct of the war by the government of Israel without significant reservations, and a question mark also covers speaking about Israel without saying clearly where they stand on U.S. weapons and funding. A dash means No Position Found: we found nothing in their own words about Israel, Gaza or the war.
See a dash? Ask the candidate where they stand, then send us their answer and we'll review it and update the mark. Or volunteer to help review candidates.
Voted to send weapons or funding in more than half of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 5 of 6 tracked votes.)
The money
$15K in lifetime support from the five lobbying groups we track
In their words
AIPAC (2026 endorsement)
Research log
The notes behind this card: what we looked at, what we found, and where each item came from.
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- No position-band statement (2024-01-26 or later) was found by the research on U.S. weapons or money for the government of Israel.
- [Earlier record, 2021-04-21] At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, voiced support for countering Iranian drone capabilities threatening Israel and urged prioritizing technology development to protect Israel.
- [Earlier record, 2021-06-04] Co-sponsored the Emergency Resupply for IRON DOME Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Michael Guest, to replenish Israel's missile-defense interceptors after the May 2021 rocket attacks. Opened; the release names DesJarlais among the co-sponsors. Note: the research called it the "Iron Dome Replenishment Act"; the release's own name is used here.
- [After October 7, 2023-10-08] Joined the Tennessee delegation letter urging the President to provide Israel all necessary weapons, munitions and defense aid.
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card, including a No on the April 2024 package (H.R. 8034). No statement explaining that vote was located; the badge stands unexplained.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [After October 7, 2023-10-25] Co-sponsored H.R. 6060, the Defunding Israel's Enemies Act, to halt all U.S. assistance to Palestinian-controlled regions in Gaza and the West Bank until Hamas and Hezbollah agree to a permanent ceasefire. material from the weeks right after October 7; never on a card. This is his most concrete in-scope act, and the card is poorer for its absence; recorded here in full.
- [Earlier record, 2017-12-06] Press release praising the Taylor Force Act: Palestinian Authority payments to attackers' families created a "climate of hate"; the Palestinian government could not be a "legitimate partner for peace" while financing violence. The Act cut U.S. economic aid to the PA.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Earlier record, 2015-03-03] After Prime Minister Netanyahu's address to Congress, called Israel "one of our closest allies and a critical partner" against radical threats and Iran, urging the administration to heed the security warnings on Iran.
- [After October 7, 2023-10-08] The delegation letter described Israel as "a shining beacon of democracy" and Hamas as an "Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group."
- [After October 7, 2023-10-08] Criticized early administration statements asking Israel to "refrain from violence" as weak.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Earlier record, 2020-07-02] Letter to Education Secretary DeVos requesting a federal investigation of Yale's Council on Middle East Studies over alleged anti-Israel bias and BDS support in federally funded programs.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [After October 7, 2023-10-23] Co-sponsored a resolution condemning support for terrorist groups on campuses, citing hostile environments for Jewish students.
- [Position, 2026-06-17] Statement after the murder of two Israeli diplomats in Washington: "antisemitism has no place in this country"; called for full prosecution.
Also in this race
- ?Mixed Victoria Broderick (Democrat)
- –No Position Found Clay Faircloth (Independent)
- ✓Opposes Jacob Kristopher Anders (Independent)
All Tennessee candidates.
See everyone on the Tennessee ballot →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 Find Your Candidates for votes, funding and contact details.