The United States House of Representatives has passed a Republican plan that provides $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel. This move has set up a partisan clash over the traditionally bipartisan issue of supporting the staunch US ally.
The plan, funded by cuts to the Internal Revenue Service, was passed on Thursday with a vote of 226 to 196, largely along party lines.
This legislative action is the first major one under new Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who assumed his role last week after Kevin McCarthy was removed by the hard-right faction of his party.
The package includes $4 billion to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems, as well as military equipment transferred from US stocks.
Despite the passage in the House, the bill faces a slim prospect of becoming law as US President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats have signaled their opposition. They object to the bill’s inclusion of spending cuts and its lack of aid for Ukraine.
For the bill to become law, it would need to pass the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority, and receive President Biden’s signature.
Before the vote, the White House expressed concerns, stating that the bill “would have devastating implications for our safety and alliances in the years ahead.” President Biden has instead asked Congress to pass a $106 billion emergency spending package, which includes funding for Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
While most Republicans still strongly support Ukraine, a vocal minority in the party has questioned the need to continue providing financial assistance to Kyiv given the significant budget deficits.
House Democrat Rosa DeLauro accused Republicans of delaying aid to US allies with their bill, stating that it “abandons Ukraine.” She emphasized that the US will not abandon Israel or Ukraine, as their fortunes are intertwined.
The United States has provided Israel with more military assistance than any other country since World War II, totaling over $124 billion. Israel is already receiving $3.8 billion per year in military assistance under a 10-year plan that began in 2016.
