“@StenyHoyer⁩ your comments are why our base thinks Democratic leaders are out of touch. It’s hard b\/c I like you,” Khanna wrote on X. “But the old guard is why our numbers are in the tank! It’s time to be bold & speak this blunt truth & for a new generation to lead a rebirth of our party.”<\/p>\n

The Democratic divide over Israel began during the earliest days of the war in Gaza, as the Left has pressed for a ceasefire or cutoff in military assistance. The lobbying group responded to Khanna’s original post, saying the California Democrat “hasn’t taken a single action that has increased the pressure on Hamas to free the hostages and surrender power.”<\/p>\n

Khanna then replied and said Hoyer should “step aide,” later clarifying he meant “step aside” and that Hoyer should not seek reelection in 2026.<\/p>\n

“@RepStenyHoyer did you really call @AIPAC to defend you? And you wonder why the majority of Democrats are fed up with our leaders & are done with the status quo. Step aide, make way for new leaders.”<\/p>\n

Hoyer, who is not Jewish, has been a consistent backer of Israel and travels<\/a> regularly to the Jewish state on AIPAC-sponsored trips<\/a> with other members of Congress.<\/p>\n

Khanna’s post reflects how support from AIPAC<\/a> has become a wedge issue among the progressive Left. Former Rep. Cori Bush lost her reelection bid to an AIPAC-backed challenger in Missouri in 2024 and, in a fiery concession speech, vowed to tear down AIPAC<\/a>. Bush launched her comeback campaign<\/a> on Friday to unseat Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, at least three House Democrats who have accepted AIPAC money from the lobbying group in previous election cycles swore off contributions. AIPAC was a top contributor to Reps. Morgan McGarvey<\/a> (D-KY) and Deborah Ross<\/a> (D-NC), supporting their campaigns with a combined<\/a> $104,000 in 2024, according to OpenSecrets, while Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) received some $2 million in contributions<\/a> from its affiliated super PAC for her 2022 election bid. All three announced they would not accept<\/a> further donations during the August district work period.<\/p>\n

NPR AND PBS FEDERAL FUNDING HALTED AS GOP IGNORES DEMOCRATS’ SHUTDOWN DEMANDS <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoyer, 86, is facing younger primary challengers after some in the party have begun pushing for a new generation in Washington. At least three primary challengers have filed to run against him for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District: 35-year-old small-business owner Harry Jarin, as well as Democrats Alexis Solis and Quincy Bareebe.<\/p>\n

Many other young Democrats have launched campaigns to challenge the status quo of longtime members, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), while calling for a changing of the guard after three Democratic members of the House died in office this year. <\/p>\n

Hoyer has held many leadership positions since entering Congress, such as serving as the second, third, and fourth highest-ranking Democrat when he was the party’s majority leader, whip, and chairman of the Democratic Caucus. The congressman became the longest-serving member of the House from Maryland in 2007. The longtime Maryland Democrat has not announced whether he will run for reelection in 2026. <\/p>\n

The Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Hoyer’s office and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for comment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n