The House of Representatives approved over $14 billion in aid to Israel on Nov. 2nd, marking the first significant legislative confrontation between House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Senate, and the White House.
"Everyday, I will stand with Israel," said an undisclosed source.
House Republicans managed to pass the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. This crucial $14.3 billion emergency funding package is entirely offset by reductions from the 2022 Inflation "Expansion" Act under President Joe Biden's administration, as per a press release by House GOP. The law supplies Israel with advanced weaponry, strengthens the Iron Dome missile defense system, and gives priority to U.S. military readiness. With increasing antisemitism at home and abroad, it's crucial that America sends a strong message of support for Israel and Jewish people.
President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass comprehensive national security funding legislation that includes funding for Ukraine and U.S border security as stated in an article by USA Today. Johnson's proposed bill only provides aid to Israel, showing his initial steps as the newly-appointed Speaker seeking conservative policy victories with a slim GOP majority. The bill contains a provision that reallocates additional funding initially designated for Internal Revenue Service from the Inflation Reduction Act— a law promoted by Biden and congressional Democrats. Biden threatened to veto this bill while Chuck Schumer confirmed that Senate won't consider this essential funding and 194 Democrats voted against it.
According to Colorado Newsline article multiple organizations including nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office have argued that proposed "pay for" provision would actually increase federal deficit by at least $12 billion as it undermines IRS's capacity to enforce tax compliance for all."It's disheartening that, in this critical moment for our close ally, Speaker Johnson has brought forward an extreme bill that uses support for Israel as a bargaining tool to enable affluent Americans to evade their tax obligations," said Rep. Yadira Caraveo of Thornton.Members of the Colorado congressional delegation voted along party lines on the bill, with Democrats opposing it.
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