On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives defeated a Republican-led package that would have given Israel $17.6 billion.
Democrats stated that they preferred a vote on a more comprehensive bill that would also support international humanitarian relief efforts, strengthen border security, and help Ukraine.
Because it was introduced under an expedited procedure that required a two-thirds majority for passing, the vote was only 250 in favor and 180 against. Despite the fact that 46 Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 14 Republicans against it, the voting was mostly along party lines.
Congress has always supported aid for Israel, one of the top recipients of US foreign aid, with strong bipartisan backing. However, a lot of opponents referred to the House legislation as a political ploy by Republicans to divert attention from their opposition to a $118 billion Senate bill that combined emergency aid for billions of dollars for partners in the Indo-Pacific region, Israel, and Ukraine with a revamp of US immigration policy and new funding for border security.
Even before the Senate bill was introduced, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson declared it was "dead on arrival" in the chamber. Additionally, Senate Republican leaders stated on Tuesday that they did not believe the bill would have enough support to pass.
Advocated against the Israel-only bill, Representative Rosa DeLauro, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, saying, "This accomplishes nothing and delays aid getting out to our allies and providing humanitarian relief." "Our allies are facing existential threats and our friends and foes around the globe are watching, waiting to see how America will respond."
The Senate bill is supported by Democratic President Joe Biden, who also pledged to veto the House's Israel-only bill.
Comment: