In a significant development, the U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a standalone $17.6 billion aid package for Israel, excluding any provisions for aid to Ukraine. This decision, announced by Speaker Mike Johnson, is driven by the urgency to provide swift assistance to Israel in its ongoing battle with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The move comes as the Senate is expected to release a combined aid package for Ukraine and Israel, along with provisions for U.S.-Mexico border security, following lengthy negotiations.
The standalone Israel aid bill unveiled recently signals that House Republicans are inclined to indefinitely delay action on Ukraine aid due to disagreements over U.S. migration policy. Notably, aid for Israel holds greater popularity within the House GOP compared to aid for Ukraine.
The proposed bill encompasses funds dedicated to Israel’s Iron Dome and Iron Beam missile defense systems. Additionally, it allocates resources for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and aims to enhance the protection of U.S. personnel at embassies. Importantly, this aid package does not include offsetting spending cuts, distinguishing it from a previous $14 billion Israel aid bill that faced objections from Democrats but passed the House.
Speaker Johnson emphasized the need for expedited assistance to Israel, given the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He stated, “Given the Senate’s failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, and the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel, the House will continue to lead.” Johnson pointed out that the Senate’s previous objections related to offsets have been addressed in the new bill, urging the Senate to swiftly pass the critical support for the U.S. ally.
The bill seeks to address the U.S. military funding requirements arising from increased operations in the Middle East following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The subsequent military actions by Israel in the Gaza Strip have led to heightened tensions in the region. In addition to aiding Israel, the proposed legislation allocates $3.3 billion to fund the U.S. response to the regional situation and dedicates $200 million for the protection of U.S. personnel and the evacuation of U.S. citizens.
The Pentagon is currently operating under a stopgap funding measure, and emergency spending would be required for its increased operations without the approval of additional funds. The bill’s authorization includes extra funding for U.S. military activities in the region compared to the November bill.
Notably, the original House bill proposed to fund Israel aid by cutting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax enforcement funding. Democrats raised objections, arguing that this move would widen the U.S. budget deficit due to potential revenue losses resulting from increased tax evasion. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) also concurred, stating that the lost revenue would add more to the deficit than the proposed IRS spending cut.
The ongoing standoff over Ukraine aid has been a point of contention. Speaker Johnson has expressed skepticism about a reported bipartisan border-security deal in the Senate, labeling it as “dead on arrival” in the House. The Senate deal, expected to grant new powers to swiftly deport migrants and attached to the Ukraine and Israel aid package, is slated for a procedural vote on Wednesday.
While the Senate negotiations have been ongoing, the House has been excluded from the process, leading to concerns about the ability to swiftly consider any legislation. Speaker Johnson’s decision to push forward with the standalone Israel aid package underscores the urgency perceived by House Republicans to address the immediate needs of Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the delay in providing aid to Ukraine raises questions about the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations. The House’s decision to prioritize Israel aid underscores the complex nature of balancing international commitments amid internal disagreements over immigration policies. The unfolding events will likely have repercussions on U.S. diplomatic efforts and alliances in the coming weeks.