Staff Reports
The House of Representatives passed a $14.3 billion aid package to support Israel’s defense against the Hamas terrorist group. President Biden has threatened to veto the legislation, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer believes it will be dead on arrival in the Senate. The bill passed with the support of 12 Democrats and opposition from two Republicans.
The breakdown in Democratic support for the aid package occurred when Speaker Mike Johnson included a provision to cut $14.3 billion in funding from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offset the cost of aid to Israel. Democratic leaders urged their party members to vote against the bill due to this provision. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar voiced his concerns about conditioning emergency aid and accused Republicans of playing politics with aid to Israel.
House passes Israel aid package, but it is dead on arrival in the Senate https://t.co/ohP8i53RIB
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 3, 2023
Speaker Johnson and Republicans argued that adding a pay-for provision was necessary given the growing national debt. They stressed the need to protect Israel while ensuring that the nation’s own resources are managed responsibly. However, a report from the Congressional Budget Office revealed that the cut to the IRS would not fully pay for the bill and would actually increase the deficit by $12.5 billion over the next decade.
Meanwhile, President Biden has expressed his intention to veto the bill and instead supports his own $106 billion supplemental request. This request includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as funding for border security measures. Representative Nick LaLota hopes that the president is bluffing or not thinking clearly when he threatens to veto the bill. However, Senate Majority Leader Schumer has stated that he will not bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate, effectively rendering it dead on arrival.
In the conservative opinion, Speaker Johnson’s decision to offset the costs of aid to Israel shows responsible budgeting and the need to address the national debt. It is concerning that Democrats would prioritize playing politics over supporting a crucial ally like Israel. President Biden’s preference for his own supplemental request raises questions about his commitment to providing aid to Israel. Ultimately, the bill’s chances of becoming law are slim, as Schumer has already declared it dead on arrival in the Senate.
