Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu firmly rejects calls for a cease-fire, characterizing it as a “surrender to terrorism,” as the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on. In a significant legislative clash, the House of Representatives passed a $14 billion bill for Israel aid, marking House Speaker Mike Johnson’s first major confrontation with the Senate and White House. The “Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act” received 226 votes in favor and 196 against, with most Republicans supporting the legislation and most Democrats opposing it. Two Republicans broke ranks and voted against the bill, while twelve Democrats voted in favor.
Aid to Israel, a key U.S. ally in the fight against Hamas militants, has received bipartisan support. However, Johnson’s proposal for a standalone Israel funding bill has faced backlash from the Democratic-controlled Senate and the White House. President Joe Biden had requested a comprehensive national security funding bill that encompassed funding for Ukraine and U.S. border security, whereas Johnson’s bill solely focused on assistance for Israel. By extracting conservative policy victories with a narrow GOP majority, Johnson aims to prioritize fiscal responsibility and address the national debt.
To fund Israel’s assistance, the bill includes a provision that diverts additional funding from the Internal Revenue Service, originally allocated from the Inflation Reduction Act championed by Biden and congressional Democrats.
While advocating for increased aid to Israel, Johnson emphasizes the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline. He argues that a standalone bill for Israel is necessary due to the urgency of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted in early October. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, however, dismisses Johnson’s bill as deeply flawed and pledges to develop a bipartisan foreign aid bill that aligns with Biden’s broader supplemental request. The Senate bill will include funding for aid to Israel, Ukraine, humanitarian assistance (including for Gaza), and competition with the Chinese Government.
Despite some Democrats reluctantly supporting Johnson’s proposal, tensions persist. Representative Jared Moskowitz, one of twelve Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, expresses disappointment in the bill’s inherent politicization of aid to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict.
The resistance from Democrats creates a stalemate, raising uncertainty about the fate of Israel’s aid. House Democrats seem willing to yield to the Senate and consider the legislation proposed in the upper chamber. Representative Brad Schneider intends to champion the Senate’s bill in the House and pass it as soon as possible. Johnson, on the other hand, stands firm and states his commitment to a responsible approach. Although Senate leaders and Democrats question the offset in the Israel bill that diverts funds from the IRS, Johnson remains confident in his stance.
In conclusion, the battle over Israel aid continues between the House, Senate, and White House. While there is widespread bipartisan support for aiding Israel, the specific approach and scope of the bill lead to political divisions and debates.
