Joaquin Castro
On the House floor in July 2026 Castro said "Israel does not need, and quite honestly does not deserve, more American money for weapons". In 2024 he commended withholding offensive weapons over a Rafah invasion.
Castro represents Texas’s 20th District and sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. His position has hardened along a line he first drew in 2021.
In May 2021 he raised serious concerns about a proposed $735 million U.S. weapons sale, warning against exacerbating violence in Gaza and arguing Congress must ensure military aid complies with human rights standards. In the same statement he called the status quo of occupation and de facto annexation "unjust and unsustainable".
In May 2024 he commended President Biden’s commitment to withhold offensive weapons shipments if Israeli forces launched a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah. He also voted against the Republican Israel security supplemental and explained why.
On July 15, 2026, in floor remarks titled around not rewarding a wrongdoer, he said Israel "does not need, and quite honestly does not deserve, more American money for weapons", argued Netanyahu was leading the country down an "ugly path", and said self-defense does not justify indiscriminate attacks. Local coverage carried it. His recorded votes on the tracked bills are shown separately on this card.
Tracked votes: opposed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 5 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- 2021-05-17 [Earlier record]: Raised serious concerns about a proposed $735 million U.S. weapons sale to Israel, warning against exacerbating violence in Gaza and emphasising that Congress must ensure military aid complies with human rights standards.
- 2024-05-09 [Current position]: Commended President Biden’s commitment to withhold U.S. offensive weapons shipments if Israeli forces launched a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah.
- 2026-07-15 [Current position; card-leading]: In House floor remarks he said "Israel does not need, and quite honestly does not deserve, more American money for weapons", argued Prime Minister Netanyahu was leading the country down an "ugly path", and said self-defense does not justify indiscriminate attacks. His own release and San Antonio Current coverage. Two source pages, one independent.
- Undated [Current position]: Explained his vote against the Republican Israel security supplemental. This is the explanation of a tracked-vote badge, in his own words.
Characterization of the conflict
- 2021-05-17 [Earlier record]: Characterised the status quo of occupation and de facto annexation as "unjust and unsustainable", calling the disproportionate toll on Palestinian civilians unacceptable.
- 2023-11-02 [Months after October 7, 2023; on this page only]: Called for an immediate ceasefire after the outbreak of the war.
- Undated: Statements on a ceasefire and hostage deal and on implementation of the Israel-Hamas agreement.
Rhetoric and lobbying
- 2020-10 [Earlier record]: Jewish Insider reported his pledge to bring Palestinian voices to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Undated: A committee hearing compilation in which lawmakers pressed the State Department on Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian aid and alleged settler attacks; the first search did not establish which parts are his.
Safety and antisemitism
- Nothing located.
What came back empty or unusable
- No statement located on U.S. aid to Palestinians or UNRWA as a budget line.
- The hearing compilation does not distinguish his remarks from other members’, so nothing is drawn from it.
Also in this race: Edgardo Baez (Republican) · All Texas 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.