Ro Khanna Calls for Ending U.S. Military Funding for Iran War, Cutting Aid to Israel
WASHINGTON–Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna is urging Democrats to block federal funding for U.S. military combat operations in Iran and eliminate aid to Israel through a short-term government spending measure, arguing that opposition to the war contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections.
The California Democrat outlined his demands following Tuesday’s elections, calling on his party to use a continuing resolution to restrict military spending and redirect federal priorities toward domestic economic programs.
“Support a continuing resolution prohibiting the financing of any combat activities of the U.S. military in Iran. End the Iran war like we did for Vietnam,” Khanna wrote on X.
He also called on Democrats to “Support the zeroing out of all aid to Israel in the continuing resolution.”
Khanna made the remarks in response to Vice President JD Vance’s assessment of the election results. He argued that the war in Iran, along with allegations of corruption, had played a significant role in Republican electoral setbacks.
Although Khanna called for restrictions on military funding, he did not provide specific legislative language detailing when the proposed prohibition would take effect, which appropriations would be affected or whether exceptions would be permitted.
His demands reflect a broader effort to shift Democratic priorities away from overseas military commitments and toward domestic investment, healthcare reform and economic opportunity.
In a separate opinion article published by MS NOW, Khanna called on Democrats to embrace an ambitious economic agenda inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
He argued that the election results provided an opportunity for Democrats to address rising living costs, widening economic inequality and the economic struggles of communities affected by decades of industrial decline.
Among his proposals is the establishment of a National Industrial Bank to finance investments in critical industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, rare earth minerals, advanced manufacturing, medical innovation, shipbuilding and artificial intelligence.
Khanna also advocated bringing together executives from major corporations and technology companies to support job creation, education, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship in communities that have suffered from deindustrialization.
Another proposal, called Work for America, would establish employment and training opportunities for young Americans in community redevelopment, caregiving, technology initiatives and other public service projects.
The initiative would draw inspiration from the Works Progress Administration, a major federal employment program created during the New Deal.
Khanna’s domestic policy agenda also includes Medicare for All, tuition-free public colleges, expanded vocational education and initiatives aimed at improving housing affordability.
He said he is developing legislation that would provide zero-down-payment, low-interest mortgages to qualifying Americans who have maintained employment and paid rent for at least seven years.
To help finance these initiatives, Khanna pointed to a proposed federal tax on billionaires that he said he had sponsored alongside Senator Bernie Sanders.
He also argued that reducing federal expenditures on weapons and overseas military conflicts should be part of a broader strategy to redirect government resources toward economic development and public services.
Khanna’s proposals place military spending, economic inequality and government investment at the center of his vision for the Democratic Party following the midterm elections. (Source: IANS)
