The House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelming rejecting the United Nations resolution condemning Israel. UN Resolution 2334, passed last month, chastised Israel over the building of settlements in Palestinian territory among other things. It became even more controversial by the United State’s decision not to veto it. The U.S. instead abstained, allowing the resolution to pass. This was a departure in past years where the U.S. vetoed similar resolutions.
Congress, however, had a different view. By a 342-80 (with 11 present/not voting), the mostly symbolic choice was to object to the UN’s action. The entire Central Valley delegation voted in favor: Republicans Devin Nunes (R-Fresno/Visalia) and Tom McClintock (R-Oakhurst/Shaver Lake) along with Democrat Jim Costa (D-Fresno/Merced) co-sponsored the bill (HR 11). They were joined in voting by Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Porterville/Bakersfield) and David Valadao (R-Hanford).
During debate, many representatives gave impassioned pleas for the United State’s support of Israel, the only democratic government in the Middle East. Some who objected say that HR 11 was too one-sided in favor of Israel.
The text of HR 11 called the UN vote one-sided and undermines the possibility of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinians.
Of the 80 voting against, 76 were Democrats. All California Republicans voted in favor.
Among the California Democrat, there was a seemingly split by geography. Of the 17 Democrats voting against, 11 came from north of the San Luis Obispo/Monterey county line (the theoretical division between northern and southern California). Of the 20 Democrats in favor, 16 came from southern California.
By district:
Democrats Against:
2nd: Jared Huffman (D-Eureka)
3rd: John Garamendi (D-Davis)
5th: Mike Thompson (D-Napa)
9th: Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton)
11th: Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord)
12th: Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)
13th: Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)
14th: Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo)
15th: Eric Swalwell (D-Hayward)
18th: Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto)
20th: Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey/Salinas)
24th: Salud Carbajal (D-San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara)
27th: Judy Chu (D-Glendora)
37th: Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)
41st: Mark Takano (D-Riverside)
43rd: Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)
47th: Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach/Garden Grove)
Democrats for:
6th: Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento)
7th: Ami Bera (D-Sacramento)
16th: Jim Costa (D-Fresno/Merced)
17th: Ro Khanna (D-San Jose)
26th: Julia Brownley (D-Ventura)
28th: Adam Schiff (D-Burbank)
29th: Tony Cardenas (D-Panorama City)
30th: Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks)
31st: Pete Aguilar (D-San Bernardino)
32nd: Grace Napolitano (D-West Covina/El Monte)
33rd: Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica)
35th: Norma Torres (D-Ontario)
36th: Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert)
38th: Linda Sanchez (D-Norwalk)
40th: Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey)
44th: Nanette Barragan (D-Compton)
46th: Lou Correa (D-Anaheim)
51st: Juan Vargas (D-El Centro)
52nd: Scott Peters (D-San Diego/Poway)
53rd: Susan Davis (D-San Diego)
Zoe Lofgren ( D-San Jose) voted present and Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) did not vote.
