US House Narrowly Approves Aid Package for Israel Amid Funding Controversy
Nov 02, 2023
The US House narrowly passed an aid package for Israel on Thursday, usually a bipartisan win, but it became complicated due to Democratic concerns about a perceived political "poison pill" in the GOP's attempt to offset the new spending with IRS cuts.
The legislation was approved with a vote of 226-196, garnering support from 12 Democrats and nearly all but two Republicans. This aid package differs from the White House's initial request by excluding humanitarian aid for Gaza and military support for Ukraine. Instead, it is funded through reductions in IRS funding. However, its future remains uncertain in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
While Democrats generally support aid for Israel, they opposed this $14.3 billion package due to its funding mechanism and the absence of provisions for other crucial areas.
Connecticut Democrat Representative Rosa DeLauro expressed her concerns before the vote, saying, "House Republicans have taken an unprecedented step that will lead to delays in aid to Israel. This is the first time we have linked aid to Israel. Is Israel less important than other national emergencies? Is it just another budgetary line item?"
House Republicans intended to offset the cost of the aid package with cuts to IRS funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, a significant legislative victory for Democrats. However, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that this package would increase the federal debt by reducing tax revenue.
Further complicating matters, the White House issued a veto threat, arguing that the bill "fails to address the urgency of the moment by exacerbating divisions and eroding historic bipartisan support for Israel's security." Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that the Senate would not consider the "deeply flawed proposal" as they work on their own funding package. This Senate package includes aid for Israel, funding for Ukraine, and humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
Nonetheless, Speaker Mike Johnson pressed on with the vote, challenging Democrats to oppose the aid package and stating, "If Democrats in the Senate, the House, or anywhere else wish to argue that hiring more IRS agents is more crucial than standing with Israel at this moment, I am prepared to engage in that debate. I included it not for political reasons but because we are striving to uphold the principle of fiscal responsibility, and this was the most direct and substantial source of funds to fulfill this immediate obligation."
The passage of the bill now paves the way for a potential clash with the Senate in the days and weeks ahead.
