Posted on 02/06/24
| News Source: Politico
The House failed to pass a clean $17.6 billion Israel aid bill on Tuesday as Congress struggles to find some vehicle that could clear critical money for foreign allies.
The measure to aid the U.S. ally in its war against Hamas went down 250-180, and was considered under an expedited procedure requiring two-thirds support. Nearly four dozen Democrats voted yes while more than a dozen Republicans opposed the measure.
The White House had derided it as a “cynical political maneuver,” as Republicans roundly reject a more comprehensive and bipartisan border security-foreign aid deal negotiated in the Senate.
“It's just a political stunt by the Republicans and the speaker,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. “This political stuff does not include any humanitarian assistance.”
House lawmakers previously cleared an Israel aid bill in November — paired with cuts to the IRS — but the legislation failed to gain Senate traction.
“There’s no time for hesitation,” said Speaker Mike Johnson alongside Amir Ohana, speaker of the Israeli Knesset, on Tuesday. “History beckons us to act boldly and decisively to defend Israel and our own citizens.”