But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Morgan Griffith
- Backed with $25K by PACs we track that support U.S. weapons funding for the government of Israel (lifetime)
- Endorsed by AIPAC
Griffith called the paused arms shipment "unconscionable" in May 2024, saying it showed "a clear lack of understanding of the situation on the ground and the threat Hamas poses to Israel," and citing his own recent visit to the "Gaza envelope."
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Deep Dive
Griffith represents Virginia's 9th District in southwest Virginia and is running for re-election.
His position-band statement is his objection to the withheld weapons. In May 2024 he said: "It is unconscionable that President Biden is holding up the arms shipment to Israel. It shows a clear lack of understanding of the situation on the ground and the threat Hamas poses to Israel. Having recently been in the 'Gaza envelope' and talked to victims of the heinous Hamas October 7th attacks, and knowing that Hamas shelled Israel since 2007, it is clear that Hamas must be eliminated."
His record on the question goes back well beyond this conflict. In May 2021 he published a newsletter on U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, citing American funding for the Iron Dome as essential to saving civilian lives during rocket attacks, and in 2012 he applauded passage of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, calling Israel "one of our strongest allies."
Nothing was located from him on U.S. aid to Palestinians. His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card and align with the statements above.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 6 of 6 tracked votes · Backs 0 of 1 tracked bills to restrict weapons transfers
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 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, 2024-05-08] His statement on the paused arms shipment, opened and confirmed word for word: "It is unconscionable that President Biden is holding up the arms shipment to Israel. It shows a clear lack of understanding of the situation on the ground and the threat Hamas poses to Israel. Having recently been in the 'Gaza envelope' and talked to victims of the heinous Hamas October 7th attacks, and knowing that Hamas shelled Israel since 2007, it is clear that Hamas must be eliminated. Hamas has substantial military assets, troops..."
- [Earlier record, 2021-05-17] Newsletter on U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, citing American funding and partnership in the Iron Dome as essential to saving civilian lives during rocket attacks. Not opened.
- [Earlier record, 2012-05-09] Statement applauding the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, calling Israel "one of our strongest allies." Prior band.
- 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
- [Position, 2024-05-08] Described the October 7 attacks as "heinous" and said Hamas "must be eliminated" (confirmed verbatim, above).
- [Position, 2024-04-12] Newsletter reflecting on a trip to Israel including a visit to the Nir-Oz kibbutz, comparing Israel's 1948 war to the American Revolutionary War, as reported. Not opened.
- [Earlier record, 2021-05-17] Characterized Hamas as a militant organization that "denies Israel's very right to exist" and emphasized Israel's right to self-defence.
- [Earlier record, 2014-07-30] Statement during the 2014 Gaza conflict expressing concern that Hamas was using civilians as human shields and storing weapons in civilian homes and institutions.
- [Earlier record, 2012-11-30] Statement on United Nations action on Palestinian status: "an actual Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiations."
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- Nothing located beyond the above.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing distinct located.
Also in this race
- ✓Opposes Joy A. Powers (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.