But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Ben Cline
- Backed with $25K by PACs we track that support U.S. weapons funding for the government of Israel (lifetime)
- Endorsed by AIPAC
- Sits on House Appropriations
Cline says he has "long stood by Israel" and co-sponsored the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, which he cites for bolstering defense assistance and the Iron Dome. Nothing located on U.S. aid to Palestinians.
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You asked Ben Cline where they stand.
Deep Dive
Cline represents Virginia's 6th District and is running for re-election.
His own House newsletter, read in full, sets out the position: "I have long stood by Israel, the only democracy and our greatest ally in the Middle East. In Congress, I have cosponsored bipartisan legislation opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and other efforts to delegitimize the state of Israel. Additionally, I cosponsored the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, which seeks to make improvements to cer[tain programs]." He cited that Act in an earlier newsletter for bolstering defense assistance and supporting the Iron Dome.
The same newsletter frames it against the administration: "President Biden continues to push a foreign policy that weakens our allies and emboldens our enemies... he is also undermining relations with our close friend, Israel."
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee he said in an April 2024 interview that he and colleagues strongly support military funding to keep Israel's Iron Dome operational against missile strikes from regional adversaries. That is the appropriations connection, and it is the most directly relevant thing on his record given the committee he sits on.
Nothing was located from him on U.S. aid to Palestinians.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 6 of 6 tracked votes · Backs 0 of 1 tracked bills to restrict weapons transfers
House Committee on Appropriations
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.
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Voted to send weapons or funding in more than half of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 6 of 6 tracked votes.)
The money
$25K 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
- [Position, published 2026-08-12] His House newsletter, opened and confirmed word for word: "In that vein, I have long stood by Israel, the only democracy and our greatest ally in the Middle East. In Congress, I have cosponsored bipartisan legislation opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and other efforts to delegitimize the state of Israel. Additionally, I cosponsored the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, which seeks to make improvements to cer[tain]..." And: "President Biden continues to push a foreign policy that weakens our allies and emboldens our enemies. Not only has he failed to stand up to Putin, which has encouraged Russian military hostilities against Ukraine, but he is also undermining relations with our close friend, Israel."
- [Earlier record, 2022-01-27] Highlighted his co-sponsorship of the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, noting measures to bolster defense assistance and support the Iron Dome (a second newsletter, not opened).
- [Position, 2024-04-26] In a broadcast interview about campus demonstrations, said he and fellow members of the House Appropriations Committee strongly support military funding to keep Israel's Iron Dome operational, as reported (video; source not opened).
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card and align with the statements above.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- No statement or documented position found by the research.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Earlier record, 2021-05] District newsletter characterizing Hamas as an "Iranian-funded terror group" holding thousands of rockets and mortars in Gaza, as reported.
- [After October 7, 2023-10-07] Statement on X that the United States stands with Israel and that Israel has an inherent right to defend itself. From the weeks right after October 7.
- [Earlier record, 2019-08-29] In a radio interview said he supported a multi-state solution in the region guaranteeing security for Israel, as reported.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Position, published 2026-08-12] Co-sponsorship of anti-BDS legislation, in his own words above. Anti-boycott material is outside what this project tracks on cards; recorded here.
- ⚠ Two advocacy-tracker pages were returned among his sources: Reverse Canary Mission and ClineWatch. Advocacy and watchlist sources stay visible as what the research consulted and never carry a card. Nothing is drawn from either.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing distinct located.
Consulted
Also in this race
- ?Mixed Beth Macy (Democrat)
All Virginia candidates.
See everyone on the Virginia 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.