24 DAILY NEWS – Democratic Representative Deborah Ross of North Carolina has announced she will not accept contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during the 2026 midterm election cycle. This decision comes after Ross received over $100,000 from the pro-Israel lobby group in previous elections, according to her office’s confirmation to The Intercept.
Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross of North Carolina has pledged that she will not accept contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee during the 2026 midterm election cycle — after receiving more than $100,000 from the conservative pro-Israel lobby group in past elections, Ross’s office confirmed to The Intercept.
Democratic Lawmakers Swear Off AIPAC Funding
Ross, a moderate member of the House of Representatives, joins a growing number of lawmakers distancing themselves from the lobby amid ongoing pressure from voters opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza. As reported by 24 DAILY NEWS, her pledge follows a similar commitment from fellow North Carolina Democrat Rep. Valerie Foushee, who also vowed not to accept money from AIPAC. Foushee previously received over $800,000 in direct contributions and bundled donations facilitated by AIPAC.
“Congresswoman Ross is not currently accepting AIPAC contributions,” a spokesperson for Ross’s office stated to The Intercept, confirming the pledge extends throughout the 2026 election cycle.
Anti-genocide organizers view these pledges as a sign of a shifting landscape within the Democratic Party.
“It is always good to hear someone is willing to have the courage of their convictions and not support organizations that they believe do not fully represent the interests of the U.S.,” said Dr. Paul McAllister, a reverend and chair of the Interfaith Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party. McAllister has been actively organizing against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. “AIPAC uses the muscle of their resources to oust anyone who disagrees with them regarding Israel, the conduct of Israel and the atrocities that may be committed by the government of Israel — so it is good that Deborah Ross is willing to recognize and acknowledge that.”
Ross’s history with AIPAC began after her first election to the House in 2020. Campaign finance records indicate she received $41,900 from AIPAC in 2022 and an additional $97,876 for her 2024 campaign.
Her pledge arrives amidst a period of division within North Carolina’s Democratic politics concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
McAllister and a coalition representing various Democratic Party factions, including Arab, African American, LGBTQ, interfaith, Muslim, and progressive caucuses, along with Jewish Democrats and the NC Association of Teen Democrats, supported the resolution.
As 24 DAILY NEWS understands it, McAllister was among five members of the coalition who met with Ross’s staff on August 19, during which her anti-AIPAC pledge was affirmed. The group also advocated for her co-sponsorship of the Block the Bombs to Israel Act, legislation aimed at restricting certain weapons shipments to Israel currently under consideration in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which had garnered 40 co-sponsors as of Thursday, aims to prevent the Trump administration from supplying Israel with specific U.S.-manufactured weapons that the Israeli military has reportedly used in documented war crimes against Palestinians.
Ross’s spokesperson has not yet commented on her potential support for the legislation.
IfNotNow, a Jewish-led anti-Zionist organization supporting the Block the Bombs Act and part of the Reject AIPAC coalition, lauded Ross’s decision and urged her to co-sponsor the bill.
“It’s great to see Rep. Ross join the growing number of Democrats who have previously welcomed AIPAC’s support and are now accepting the fact that aligning with right-wing billionaires only empowers fascists like Netanyahu and Trump,” said Lauren Maunus, the political director for IfNotNow. “Now, we look forward to her signing on to the Block the Bombs Act.”
Other Lawmakers and the “Block the Bombs Act”
Foushee is co-sponsoring the bill, as are at least two other lawmakers who previously received AIPAC money: Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who received $46,000 from AIPAC in 2022, and Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., who took $15,000 in 2022 and 2024.
According to 24 DAILY NEWS sources, at least three other representatives with past AIPAC funding have expressed support for blocking arms to Israel, though they have yet to formally co-sponsor the Block the Bombs bill. This group includes Oregon Democrats Maxine Dexter and Suzanne Bonamici, and, most recently, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, a high-ranking moderate Democrat and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Smith’s Stance
On Tuesday, Smith voiced his support for halting “the sale of some weapons now” to Israel in order to push for a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, and stop the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Campaign finance records indicate Smith has received over $700,000 from AIPAC since 2022, including $46,900 in 2025.
AIPAC’s Political Involvement
AIPAC, after decades of lobbying, began directly funding congressional elections in 2021. Last election cycle, the organization spent millions in attempts to unseat Democratic critics of Israel, most notably progressive former lawmakers Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri.
