Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) joined The Young Turks to announce she has introduced two major amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at halting hundreds of millions in military funding for Israel.
Greene, an often-controversial congresswoman who was previously a lightning rod champion for President Trump and his MAGA agenda, has found recent agreement with the populist left on one rare issue: the urgent need to end American financial support for Israel and other foreign conflicts and instead prioritize domestic spending that helps the average American.
Greene’s amendments target two specific allocations within the massive military spending bill. The first seeks to strip $500 million designated for Israel’s missile defense systems, including Iron Dome. The second aims to remove an additional $125 million, $55 million for Israel’s “counter drone program” and $70 million for “anti-tunnel cooperation.”
“We're $37 trillion in debt. We shouldn't be funding foreign countries… basically because America's broke and we really need to get focused on our own country and our own people's problems,” Greene stated, framing her argument around fiscal responsibility and national interest.
The Georgia Republican anchored her position in Israel’s economic and military strength, noting, “Israel is less than 400 billion in debt…They're able to provide state-funded healthcare for Israeli citizens. They're able to provide state-funded college.” She forcefully argued that questioning such aid is not antisemitic, but a practical necessity.
“My argument is it's not anti-semitic to say that America should keep our money and invest our own hard-earned tax dollars in our own interest,” Greene said, “especially for a country like Israel that is nuclear armed and that is doing so well economically.”
Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparina pressed Greene on why Congress remains overwhelmingly in favor of continued, unwavering support for Israel, even as the civilian death toll of Palestinians continues to climb by the thousands. Greene directly called the influence of lobbyist money, specifically naming AIPAC as the primary contributor to corruption.
“I completely believe money is a factor. I watch it every single day here in Congress. The people that I work with—who they're funded by—affect their votes,” Greene asserted. She revealed she has a sign on her office door reminding visitors that lobbyists for foreign nations must be registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a rule she insists AIPAC itself should follow.
“If we had a Department of Justice that was doing its job, they would be investigating AIPAC,” Greene claimed, detailing the all-expenses-paid trips to Israel that many members of Congress and influencers accept. “I don't know of any other foreign country that literally takes our members of Congress on a trip to their own country… I don't know any other country that does that other than Israel.”
Ana noted the visible shift in Green’s demeanor and policy priorities, observing “a certain seriousness and maturity” in her focus on her constituents' interests. When asked if the war in Gaza had changed her perspective, Greene pointed to the human cost of the war.
“There's videos and pictures of what's happening to children that you just can't unsee,” Greene said. “Anyone who has a heart and compassion for children and innocent people, I don't know how anyone can turn a blind eye to that.” She clarified that she still condemns the Hamas attacks of October 7th but believes “that war really truly needs to end.”
Cenk followed up, asking how much the fear of media backlash and accusations of antisemitism influences her colleagues in Congress. Greene confirmed the pressure is intense and very real.
“Oh, yeah. Big time. It's ridiculous,” she said, listing commentators and media figures who would quickly attack dissenters. “You’ve got the establishment media…the pressure is real.”
Despite this, Greene expressed optimism that public opinion is rapidly changing and that she is finding “common ground with people on the left and the right that really want to focus in on America.”
In closing, Cenk reflected on the surprising nature of the alliance, stating, “It's becoming less about left versus right than it is about the American people versus the elites and the establishment.”
To which Greene replied, “Absolutely… I'm just unapologetically fed up with it all.”
Full interview transcript:
Cenk Uygur: Now joining us, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Congresswoman from Georgia's 14th Congressional District. Representative Greene, welcome back to the show.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Thank you. Thanks for having me on tonight.
Cenk Uygur: No problem. I understand you have big news for us. There is something you are considering introducing tomorrow. What is that?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Well, actually, I've already introduced them this week. We're working on the National Defense Authorization Act, which is our annual funding for our military. Our military budget should be focused on our country and strictly for defense purposes. However, once again, there is funding for foreign countries, foreign causes, foreign aid, and the defense of foreign nations. I've introduced multiple amendments to strip that funding out.
Specifically, to defund $600 million for Ukraine. I have one amendment to do that, and then I have a second amendment to take out any additional funding because I found out one of my colleagues is trying to add more money for Ukraine.
I have two amendments that strip funding from Israel. This would be $500 million. Israel already receives $3.8 billion annually from the United States government. I'm a big believer in defunding all foreign aid for all foreign countries. So, I've introduced two amendments: one to get the $500 million out of the NDAA. The $3.8 billion is in the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill separately, and I had done amendments for that. And then I have another amendment that takes out another $85 million: $15 million for Israel's counter-drone program and another $70 million for anti-tunnel cooperation.
It's important. We're $37 trillion in debt. We shouldn't be funding foreign countries because America is broke, and we really need to focus on our own country and our own people's problems.
Ana Kasparian: Okay, I want to take it one by one for clarity. First off, the $500 million you introduced an amendment to take out of the NDAA—is that the one that recently passed overwhelmingly in the House?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Yes, that's the one that overwhelmingly passed before Congress went on recess. Only six members of Congress voted for it. They claim it is for defensive purposes. About $60 million of it goes to Iron Dome, and the rest is for vague defense purposes.
Just to clarify for your listeners, the US already provides nuclear-armed Israel with $3.8 billion annually in foreign aid. In the 2024 security supplemental, we gave $8.7 billion to Israel. During the recent 12-day war with Iran in June, the US used 15 to 20% of our Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile stockpile defending Israel. That cost the United States somewhere over $800 million.
The $500 million that I'm introducing an amendment to take out is authorized in the NDAA for a program that funds Israel's missile defense systems: Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow system. It's important to note that since 2006, we've spent over $15 billion supporting these Israeli missile defense systems.
Here's something important to understand: While we're $37 trillion in debt, Israel is less than $400 billion in debt. They're doing so well with their economy; they're able to provide state-funded healthcare for Israeli citizens and state-funded college. My argument is, it's not anti-Semitic to say that America should keep our money and invest our own hard-earned tax dollars in our own interests, especially for a country like Israel that is nuclear-armed and doing so well economically. They're able to provide state-funded healthcare and college. I don't think that's a country that needs our assistance, especially how they've shown the entire world they're very capable of annihilating and wiping out their enemies. That's really my argument there with Israel. Primarily, my argument is we've got so many problems here at home. I really want to see the United States Congress focus on the American people.
Ana Kasparian: One more quick point of clarification. Is the second amendment to take out the entire $3.8 billion in funding?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: The $3.8 billion is not in the NDAA. That's in a separate appropriations bill, so I wasn't able to do that one here.
Cenk Uygur: Oh, so you couldn't do that here. So the two amendments are for the $500 million and the $85 million.
Ana Kasparian: And just to be clear, the $3.8 billion that we provide Israel every single year is part of legislation that passed under the Obama administration, a 10-year program which is set to expire in 2026. So that fight is coming up because I'm sure Israel is going to expect our Congress to re-up and potentially increase the amount of money they get from American taxpayers yearly.
I think what you're doing here is so important, Congresswoman Greene. Thank you, because I know you have a target on your back and you're being called all sorts of ridiculous names for wanting to prioritize the American people and do something about our debt.
What's really interesting is when it comes to military aid for Ukraine, President Donald Trump has very subtly—and I think smartly—started to shift the financial burden more over to Europe so the American taxpayer isn't as responsible. In the case of Israel, on top of that $3.8 billion they receive every year, President Biden bypassed Congress over a hundred times to provide Israel with tens of billions in additional military support. Trump has done similar things.
What have you experienced behind the scenes? What is it about Israel in particular that gets our lawmakers to be unwavering in their support and willingness to shell out endless money to that country?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: I think that's a great question and it's really difficult to understand. I don't go on the AIPAC trips; I've never been on them. I don't receive their funding, and I have a sign on my office door reminding people that if you're coming in for a foreign country, you've got to be registered under FARA. I think that's extremely important.
I don't understand it, Ana, because I serve in the United States House of Representatives. I believe my job as a representative is for my district, the American people. As a whole, Congress is supposed to represent the American people and work towards solving our problems. However, there is no country all over the world that gets the attention, the funding, the dedication, the amount of votes, legislation, and resolutions other than Israel.
As a matter of fact, we've voted over 21 to 23 resolutions denouncing anti-Semitism and anything happening towards Jewish people since I've been a member of Congress in January 2021. I've never seen resolutions for any other cause like that in that number.
When it comes to Israel, we have hate crimes, which is incredibly important. People of all backgrounds should be protected. However, in our NDAA, there's a portion introducing more penalties for anti-Semitism on college campuses and protesting. I'm completely against that.
I'm not sure how to answer your question of why. Part of it is there are Christians in America that really believe that verse in Genesis, "bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you," and they believe that applies today to the secular government of Israel. I personally don't believe that. I'm a Christian, and I believe that's a pretty big stumbling stone. If you're a Christian, you truly believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later. We have deep convictions that he died for all of our sins to be forgiven. We don't believe that verse in Genesis covers up everything that Jesus did. But I think that holds a lot of power over many of my colleagues and a certain percentage of Americans.
The separation is understanding that being against what the secular, nuclear-armed government of Israel is doing doesn't make you an anti-Semitic person. It doesn't mean you're against Jewish people. For me, it means I believe our problems are so big in America and our debt is so massive that, no offense to anyone, but I think we just really have to focus at home.
Ana Kasparian: My follow-up is more philosophical. I don't think I'm mistaken in noticing a change in you—a certain seriousness and maturity in how you deliver your objectives and how you genuinely want to serve the best interests of your constituents. Do you feel the genocide in Gaza has given you a different perspective on geopolitics?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Well, I think there are two parts to that question, and I appreciate your observation. In the beginning, the media was pretty rough on me, so it was hard for people to understand who I am. When I ran for Congress in 2020, I actually ran criticizing the Republican party. My district knows that full well.
When it comes to what's happening in Gaza, the videos and pictures of what's happening to children—you just can't unsee it. Anyone that has a heart and compassion for children and innocent people, I don't know how anyone can turn a blind eye to that. But I've also stated that October 7th was horrific, and I stand by that. I think both things are really bad.
I talked to Christian pastors in Gaza, and they told me the starvation of children is real. This is not war propaganda. It took investigation, talking to people, and looking at actual evidence. I just can't unsee it. I think it's terrible, and that war truly needs to end.
Ana Kasparian: There's a certain authenticity in the way you're reacting that I value. So many politicians are just robots, even in the face of mass atrocities. I appreciate you speaking out against what's happening in Gaza. I'm sure it has attracted terrible attention, but please keep doing it. We're paying for it; we're aiding and abetting it. It's a stain on our country.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Yeah.
Cenk Uygur: I just want to follow up. Your reaction, a human reaction to seeing tens of thousands of children killed, is normal. Yet it is not the reaction of an overwhelming majority of your colleagues. What did you get, six votes last time? The media tells us it's because Israel is some special, magical place and that we owe them. I don't know why we owe them. America has only ever supported Israel.
Even in the middle of a genocide, the overwhelming majority of your colleagues say we do owe them, and you're not allowed to criticize. You've gotten attacked. So, real quick, is money a factor? AIPAC has given to 65% of Congress; other Israel PACs to 90%. Do you believe money is a factor in your colleagues' votes on this issue?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: I completely believe money is a factor. I watch it every single day. The people I work with—who they're funded by affects their votes. Many in the Doctors Caucus are funded by big pharma and wouldn't talk about the COVID vaccines. Many members highly funded by the military-industrial complex make sure those government contracts get funded; they believe in a war economy.
But yes, I do believe AIPAC funding is very serious. I believe AIPAC needs to register under FARA. If we had a Department of Justice doing its job, they would be investigating AIPAC. I don't know of any other foreign country that takes our members of Congress on all-expenses-paid trips to their country, with influencers and news people, meeting everyone from the Prime Minister down, with sightseeing and excursions. I don't know any other country that does that other than Israel. I think it's powerful and has an impact.
My position is not that I hate Israel or the people there. I wish them all well. But my position is we are in trouble at home. Our debt is serious. My children's generation can't afford rent; their credit cards are maxed out. The cost of living is too expensive, insurance is a scam, and our healthcare industry is a disaster. I am just unapologetically fed up with it all.
Cenk Uygur: Okay, I know you have to run to votes. One last question: How much of a factor is it that members of Congress know if they oppose Israeli funding, mainstream media will come down on them like a ton of bricks, they'll be accused of being anti-Semites, and their career will be threatened?
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Oh, yeah, big time. It's ridiculous. You've got everybody from Mark Levin to Ben Shapiro to Laura Loomer. The establishment media will call you an anti-Semite. You'll get phone calls asking what's the matter with you. The pressure is real.
But I think the American people see through it, and the tide is rapidly changing. One of the most delightful experiences I've had in Washington is finding common ground with people on the left and the right that really want to focus on America. That's the best thing that can happen. That's why I'm delighted to have conversations with the two of you, and I look forward to finding more common ground. I think that could be the best thing for all of us.
Cenk Uygur: 100%. It's becoming less about left versus right and more about the American people versus the elites and the establishment. Everyone is tired of it. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, we appreciate you coming on The Young Turks. Thank you.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Absolutely.
