President Joe Biden is on the brink of vetoing a House Republican-proposed $14.3 billion aid package to Israel. The crux of the controversy lies in the fact that the proposed package would slash funding allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Inflation Reduction Act, one of Biden's hallmark legislative achievements. Additionally, the package diverges from the tradition of bipartisan consensus, as it neglects funding for other paramount national security interests such as Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) didn't mince words in its critique, labeling the GOP's proposal as detrimental to both Israel and the broader Middle East, adding it would be "bad for our own national security." The statement underscored that the package's partisan nature threatens the historically bipartisan approach to Israeli security assistance. By separating Israel's security aid from other critical national security components, global ramifications could arise, warned the OMB.
In a detailed memo obtained by Fox News Digital, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates took aim at the GOP's legislative maneuver. Bates pointedly questioned the unprecedented nature of the bill, writing, "Why should Israel be singled out in this way? Why should it be treated differently, especially when they were just subjected to the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust?" Bates also contended that by placing conditions on emergency national security funding, the GOP sets a perilous precedent that could jeopardize future US support for Israel's defense.
Further, the memo called out the bill's failure to account for other pressing national security interests. Bates noted the omission of humanitarian assistance for Gaza civilians, who too have been victims of Hamas terrorist actions. He also highlighted the importance of aiding Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. Bates urged for unity, arguing against compromising national security for political gains.
The Republican package, introduced under the leadership of the recently appointed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), commits $14.3 billion to support Israel in its defense against Hamas, the recognized terrorist organization that controls Gaza. This aid proposal surfaced following Hamas's deadly October 7th attack that tragically claimed the lives of approximately 1,400 Israelis.
Despite the GOP's proposed cut to IRS funding likely resonating with conservatives, there's bipartisan consensus that Israel needs support, but the method of sourcing those funds remains a point of contention. The Inflation Reduction Act had initially earmarked an $80 billion enhancement for the IRS over a decade, primarily to fortify the agency's capabilities in tackling tax evasion. This would have led to the recruitment of 87,000 new IRS personnel.
Earlier in the month, Biden sought congressional approval for a supplemental funding request of $106 billion. This amount encompassed the $14.3 billion intended for Israel, a significant allocation for Ukraine, and additional sums for US border security and humanitarian efforts.
In a recent statement, Speaker Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation in Israel. He said, "What's happening in Israel takes the immediate attention... I believe there will be bipartisan support for that, and I'm going to push very hard for it." Johnson commenced his tenure as speaker with a bipartisan motion condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel.
