The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a bill that would have sent $17 billion worth of aid to Israel without cuts to offset the cost.
The House passed a bill on Nov. 2 that would send $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, offset by cuts to the Internal Revenue Service, but the measure was denied by the Democratic-led Senate. The House rejected another bill that would have approved such aid without cuts by a vote of 250 to 180, giving it a majority but the two-thirds needed to pass the bill under the suspension of rules. could not be fulfilled. (Related: House passes Israel aid bill funded by IRS cuts)
The bill would replace several Israeli missile defense systems known as Iron Dome, Iron Beam and David Sling against rocket attacks not only from Gaza but also from other parts of the Middle East, including the Levant and Iran. approximately $5 billion will be spent on aid. . In addition, $3.5 billion will be spent to support Israel's procurement of various defense equipment through the United States. foreign military funding programsprovides taxpayer-funded subsidies to allies for the express purpose of purchasing U.S.-made defense equipment.
Overview of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act by Daily Caller News Foundation On Scribd
Since the Oct. 7 attack, the Biden administration has used its unilateral authority under the Arms Export Control Act to provide some aid to Israel, including tank shells. The bill would use $4.4 billion to replenish the inventory of U.S. equipment that constitutes such aid. (Related: Biden administration approves sale of tank shells to Israel)
Despite bipartisan support for the bill, some conservative House Republicans in the Freedom Caucus were concerned about the bill's fiscal impact because there was no fiscal offset.
“Unable to send $17.6 [billion] to Israel [without] When you think about the fact that we're hemorrhaging $2 trillion a year, we have to pay the price,” said Republican Congressman Chip Roy (Texas), policy chairman of the Freedom Caucus. . I have written on X (formerly Twitter).
It's not every day you see the House Freedom Caucus. @joe biden We're on the same side of the issue. They both oppose new legislation to support Israel in the House of Representatives, for completely different reasons. https://t.co/Qa6kg7dbzZ
— Arjun Singh (@arjunswritings) February 6, 2024
The caucus released a statement Sunday opposing the bill.
“America should not and does not need to borrow money to support Israel when our country has a $200 billion monthly deficit and a $34 trillion national debt.” I have written. “Congress will reduce the cost of aid to Israel by cutting funding to the United Nations, repealing an expansion of the Internal Revenue Service, revoking the Commerce Department’s “slush fund,'' and ending the left-wing climate change tax credit. I can cover it.”
The caucus also accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of “causing” to Democrats' request for aid without cost offsets and “reversing course” on previous demands for full funding for the bill, according to a statement. did.
The bill also opposed President Joe Biden has instead called on Congress to pass an omnibus security bill that would authorize not only aid to Israel but also aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and new border security and immigration measures. There is.
“Instead of honestly addressing our most pressing national security challenges, this bill is yet another cynical political ploy,” the Biden administration said in a statement, adding that the president intends to veto the bill. suggested. “Israel's security should be sacred, not a political game.”
The Israeli mission to the United States did not respond to a request for comment.
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