In a surprising turn of events, a package aimed at providing $17.6 billion in aid to Israel failed to pass the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The bill, which had been facing opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, ultimately fell short of the necessary support despite 250 lawmakers voting in favor of it.
The failed bill had been fast-tracked for a vote under suspension of House rules, bypassing the usual procedural hurdles. However, it faced a veto threat from the White House and pushback from GOP hardliners who wanted to offset the cost of the aid package with spending cuts elsewhere.
Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, had unveiled the legislation over the weekend, criticizing the Senate and White House for excluding the House from talks over a supplemental security funding and border policy bill. The bill was seen as a major concession by Republicans, who had initially proposed a bill that would have offset the funding through allocations made by President Biden to the IRS.
The House Freedom Caucus, a group of ultra-conservative lawmakers, came out against the bill, citing its lack of offsets. However, other Republicans, such as Rep. Greg Murphy from North Carolina, argued that offsets would do little to address the national debt and instead emphasized the need to focus on growing the economy and reforming mandatory spending.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Democratic leaders in the House provided cover to their party members, urging them to vote against the bill. The administration labeled the bill as a “cynical political maneuver” and criticized it for undermining ongoing bipartisan negotiations on security funding and border policy.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders announced their opposition to the bill, stating that they would only support a serious bipartisan effort in connection with the U.S.-Israel relationship. They accused Republicans of introducing the bill without notice or consultation and questioned its sincerity.
The partisan divide over the aid package reflects broader tensions within Congress and the current political landscape. Democrats accused Republicans of using Israel aid as leverage to push through their own priorities, while Republicans condemned Democrats for politicizing the issue and jeopardizing Israel’s security.
The failure of the bill highlights the challenges of passing significant legislation in a deeply divided political climate. It also raises questions about the future of U.S.-Israel relations and the role of Congress in shaping foreign policy.
Despite the setback, discussions on providing aid to Israel are likely to continue, with both parties emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. However, finding common ground and addressing concerns on both sides of the aisle will be crucial in moving forward and ensuring the necessary support for future aid packages.
Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Digital, specializing in Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. She has previously written for Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews.
