Two Democratic congressmen from Northern California, Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Jared Huffman, have been served with legal documents this week in connection with a class action lawsuit filed by over 600 of their constituents. The lawsuit, which was initiated last month, accuses the lawmakers of illegally using taxpayer money to support Israel’s military actions, which the plaintiffs argue amount to complicity in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The legal action, led by Taxpayers Against Genocide (TAG), claims that Thompson and Huffman violated the U.S. Constitution, federal law, and international human rights conventions when they voted in favor of allocating $26.38 billion in military aid to Israel on April 20, 2024. According to the lawsuit, by funding Israel’s military operations, the congressmen knowingly or negligently supported actions that amount to genocide, particularly in Gaza.
TAG, which includes constituents from California’s 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts, argues that the congressmen’s votes breached a series of laws. These include the Genocide Convention, which prohibits complicity in genocide, and U.S. laws like the Leahy Law, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibit U.S. aid to foreign governments that violate human rights.
According to the plaintiffs, Thompson and Huffman were aware— or should have been aware— that Israel’s military was committing acts of genocide in Gaza, thus violating the constitutional rights of American taxpayers to have their taxes used for lawful purposes.
Carol Bloom, one of the plaintiffs, said, “The moral injury I’ve experienced, and that countless others have suffered, as a result of Rep. Huffman’s vote is immeasurable. This is not just a legal issue—it’s a human issue.”
Plaintiffs argue that U.S. support for Israel’s military actions exacerbates the suffering of Palestinians, including the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Judy Talaugon, an Indigenous elder from Sonoma County and plaintiff in the case, stated, “Palestinian children are all our children. Their liberation is the catalyst for systemic change for the betterment of us all.”
The lawsuit is being led by the Szeto-Wong Law Firm, which is advocating for a declaratory and injunctive relief, seeking to stop the lawmakers from using taxpayer funds to support what they call Israel’s genocidal actions. TAG claims this lawsuit is the first of its kind to challenge the complicity of U.S. representatives in the context of foreign military aid contributing to genocide.
In a statement, plaintiff Norman Solomon wrote: “While I don’t expect the courts to halt U.S. policies enabling these horrors, this lawsuit exposes the moral revulsion felt by so many Americans who are opposed to our government’s actions.” The suit has drawn attention to the broader issue of U.S. foreign policy and the responsibility of U.S. taxpayers in funding military aid to a country accused of human rights violations.
A meeting between Huffman and activists in 2023, including members of Humboldt for Palestine, ended with disappointment. Ellen P., one of the activists in attendance, criticized Huffman for his dismissive attitude toward the group’s concerns, saying, “He made it clear he was not interested in listening to us.”
Huffman has yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit. Thompson’s office responded in a statement last month, claiming that while the congressman acknowledges the civilian toll of the war, “achieving peace and securing the safety of civilians won’t be accomplished by filing a lawsuit.”
The lawsuit coincides with ongoing global debates on whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, as defined under the Genocide Convention. South Africa has already filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with the support of several nations from the Global South. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been one of the primary opponents of the case, providing Israel with billions in aid and diplomatic support.
As of early 2025, the death toll in Gaza has continued to rise, with reports indicating over 45,000 Palestinians killed and more than 108,000 others injured. The situation remains dire, with widespread displacement, starvation, and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a complete siege of Gaza.
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