On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a $17.6 billion military aid package for Israel. The body, which is controlled by the Republican Party, rejected the bill due to conflicts with the Biden Administration. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is working on its own $60 billion package that includes aid for Ukraine and $20 billion for U.S. border security, as well as $10 billion in aid for the Palestinians in Gaza.
The House bill did gain a majority of the vote. However, due to the complicated rules of the House, this bill required a two thirds majority to pass.
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This came after the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a statement of administrative policy Monday rejecting the proposed bill saying, “Instead of working in good faith to address the most pressing national security challenges, this bill is another cynical political maneuver. The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin’s aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children.”
“Instead of working in good faith to address the most pressing national security challenges, this bill is another cynical political maneuver,” the statement said.
“The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin’s aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children,”
ln a “Dear Colleague” letter released before Tuesday’s vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) wrote, “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.”
“Here at home, the time has come for House Republicans to end the political stunts and come together in support of a comprehensive approach to our national security priorities,” they added.
In response, Republican Representative Ken Calvert, the Republican Defense Appropriations Subcommittee chairman who introduced the bill, said, “This bill simply provides necessary resources to our closest ally in the region and our own military.”
