A $17.6 billion aid package for Israel failed to pass the House of Representatives due to a veto threat from the White House and pushback from GOP hard-liners seeking spending offsets.
The bill faced criticism for being unpaid for and lacking offsets.
Rep. Michelle Steel said, “It is disappointing and unacceptable that so many members failed to stand behind Israel as they defend their citizens from terrorists intent to wipe them off the map.”
“We must have absolute moral clarity and resolve. … History will remember those who choose to stay silent,” he continued.
Rep. Chip Roy said, “Well, it’s unpaid for and our borders are wide open. I’m not going – can’t go to my constituents [and] say here’s $17 billion, even for someone who I love like Israel and a good friend, somebody I fully support, I can’t do that.”
Rep. Greg Murphy said, “Many people pleaded, please have a pay-for, or else they’re going to vote against it.”
“And I get it. I understand it, absolutely. But in this particular instance, it’s just dust … we’re not going to make a dent in our debt,” he continued.
“People aren’t looking at the big picture … you have to understand a much greater geopolitical picture to really comprehend it,” added Murphy.
Despite some bipartisan support, it ultimately failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.
Democratic leaders and the White House opposed the bill, viewing it as a political maneuver and lacking good faith.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said, “We are prepared to support any serious, bipartisan effort in connection with the special relationship between the United States and Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the standalone legislation introduced by House Republicans over the weekend, at the eleventh hour without notice or consultation, is not being offered in good faith.”
House GOP leaders accused Democrats of using Israel aid as leverage for passing other priorities.
Speaker Michael Johnson said, “After nearly four months of waiting for the Senate to act, House Republicans, working in good faith, placed a clean, standalone bill on the floor — a major concession we were willing to make given the gravity of the situation to address Democrats’ stated concerns with the prior aid package.”
“Democrats have been unable to present any substantive policy objection in the current legislation. It is clear they are now committed to using Israel aid as leverage to force through other priorities that do not enjoy nearly the same degree of consensus. Leveraging Israel aid as it fights for survival is wrong. The White House and congressional Democrats should be ashamed,” continued the Speaker.
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