U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) said he will not swear off support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) [1, 2].
The statement comes amid ongoing internal friction within the Democratic Party regarding the influence of pro-Israel lobbying on legislative priorities and candidate selection.
Schiff said the remarks during a live taping of "The Conversation" at the Sacramento Summit [1, 2]. When asked about the organization, the senator said, "I'm not going to exclude any person, faith, organization" [1].
The senator's refusal to distance himself from the lobby occurs as some members of his party call for stricter limits on the role of outside interest groups in primary elections. Schiff said he would not single out any specific group or organization for exclusion [1, 2].
This position places Schiff in contrast with some progressive wing Democrats who have sought to limit the financial and political impact of AIPAC on the party's platform. The senator's comments emphasize a broad approach to political engagement, one that avoids naming specific organizations as ineligible for support.
Throughout the taping, the discussion focused on the balancing act required to maintain party unity while addressing divergent views on foreign policy. Schiff said inclusive engagement remains the appropriate path for his office [1, 2].
“"I'm not going to exclude any person, faith, organization."”
This refusal to distance himself from AIPAC signals that Senator Schiff intends to maintain traditional ties with pro-Israel lobbying groups despite increasing pressure from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. By framing his decision as a matter of inclusivity rather than policy, he avoids a direct confrontation over specific legislative goals while ensuring he remains viable to a broad coalition of donors and political allies.
