In a contentious vote that deepened the partisan rift in Congress, the House of Representatives endorsed a nearly $14.5 billion aid package for Israel on Thursday. This latest move from the House, led by newly-installed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), has intensified the looming showdown with Senate leaders and the Biden administration.
The Republican-drafted legislation, formally named the "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act," sailed through the House with a 226-196 vote. While a majority of Republicans gave it their nod, a largely party-line vote emerged as most Democrats opposed it. Notably, two Republicans broke ranks to vote against it, while 12 Democrats sided with the bill's proponents.
The financial assistance is intended to bolster Israel, a significant U.S. ally, in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. However, the bill's exclusion of aid to other geopolitical hotspots, such as Ukraine, has riled the Senate and the White House.
President Joe Biden had earlier expressed his preference for a comprehensive national security funding bill, encompassing not just Israel but also resources for Ukraine and U.S. border security. In sharp contrast, Johnson's legislation zeroes in exclusively on Israel, a tactic seen by many as a clear assertion of his conservative agenda amidst a slim GOP majority.
A controversial aspect of the aid bill is its proposed means of funding. To finance the Israeli assistance, the legislation recommends slashing the budgetary allocation for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initially earmarked under the Inflation Reduction Act. This move drew sharp criticism from Democrats, seeing it as an attempt to erode an initiative spearheaded by Biden and his party.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been vocal about his disapproval, dismissing Johnson's bill as a "deeply flawed proposal." Schumer, along with other Senate leaders, has instead thrown weight behind a bipartisan foreign aid bill that closely aligns with President Biden's comprehensive request. Such a package would encompass aid not only for Israel but also for Ukraine and humanitarian relief, including for Gaza, as well as initiatives to counteract China.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) described the predicament many Democrats faced. Although supporting Israel, especially given the recent Oct. 7 attack, Moskowitz decried the political maneuvering that forced Democrats into a polarizing choice: supporting either Israel or the IRS. He labeled this tactic as a "disgusting" ploy by Johnson.
But the criticism wasn't restricted to Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of holistic foreign aid legislation, subtly criticizing the House's exclusive focus on Israel.
The White House didn't mince words either. John Kirby, a key figure at the National Security Council, stressed that President Biden expects his complete funding request to be honored. Any legislation limited solely to Israel would likely be met with a presidential veto, Kirby cautioned.
The fate of the Israeli aid remains uncertain, as the resistance from both the Senate and the White House threatens to stymie its progress. With neither side willing to budge, the standoff has left the future of U.S. assistance to Israel, during a crucial period, hanging in the balance.
