Pro-Palestinian voices gained ground in the United States Congress on Tuesday following victories by two Senate candidates and nine House candidates in the midterms. Several of the newly elected lawmakers have called for an end to US military assistance to Israel or accused it of committing genocide in Gaza.
These victories coincided with Democrats regaining control of both chambers of Congress. The shift creates opportunities for lawmakers to challenge arms transfers to Israel, scrutinize military assistance, and press for a change in Washington policy regarding the war in Gaza.
Among the Senate victors, a physician and former public health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim American elected to the US Senate. The candidate has described the war in Gaza as genocide and called for ending US military support for Israel.
In Maine, the former state Senate president defeated five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. That candidate has also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called for an end to US military assistance.
In New York, a former Columbia University Gaza encampment activist aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America won the 13th Congressional District. She defended her attendance at a pro-Palestinian rally on October 8, 2023, and received an endorsement from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Another Democratic Socialists of America member and former New York state legislator won the state’s 7th Congressional District after receiving endorsements from Mamdani. Meanwhile, the former New York City comptroller won the 10th Congressional District after defeating pro-Israel incumbent Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary. He has described the military campaign in Gaza as genocide and the occupation of Palestinian territories as apartheid, while describing himself as a liberal Zionist supporting a two-state solution.
An Egyptian-American plastic surgeon and former US Army combat doctor won New York’s 12th Congressional District. He volunteered as a medical worker in Gaza in 2024 and campaigned on ending US military assistance to Israel.
In Colorado, a democratic socialist won the 1st Congressional District after defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Diana DeGette in the primary. She became the first Black woman elected to Congress from that state and has criticized Israeli policies and Zionism.
Michigan’s 13th Congressional District elected a state representative aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America. She termed the war in Gaza genocide and pledged to support the Block the Bombs Act, which prohibits certain weapons sales to Israel.
Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District elected a state representative also aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America. He joined a protest in September ahead of a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly.
A Dallas pastor and civil rights advocate won Texas’s 30th Congressional District, succeeding former Representative Jasmine Crockett. She has spoken out against genocide, including in Gaza. In California, a progressive organizer won a full term representing the 11th Congressional District after previously securing the seat in a special election, having criticized Israel’s military campaign.
Several incumbent House members who advocated for Palestinian rights also won reelection. These include Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez, Ayanna Pressley, Pramila Jayapal, and Andre Carson.
The Democratic Socialists of America projected at least five new House victories involving Rabb, McKinney, Avila Chevalier, Valdez, and Kiros. These results expand the organization’s congressional presence beyond its two existing members, Ocasio-Cortez and Tlaib.
While these lawmakers do not hold identical positions, their increased presence could intensify pressure on Democratic congressional leadership over US military aid and diplomatic support for Israel.
