US lawmakers reject $17.6 billion separate aid bill for Israel
What's the story
The United States House of Representatives, on Tuesday, voted against a separate Israel aid bill that proposed to provide $17.6 billion (approximately Rs. 14,000 crore) in military aid to the Jewish nation. According to the Washington Post, 167 Democrats, including President Joe Biden and 14 Republicans, have opposed the bill. Critics had earlier described the bill as a "cynical" attempt to derail a "larger" cross-party border security and international assistance package, which included funds for war-torn Ukraine.
Budget battle
Standalone bill faces opposition from both parties
According to reports, 14 Republicans opposed the standalone bill as it lacked the budgetary offsets conservatives have been demanding for every new spending proposal. Democrats largely opposed the bill, fearing that its passage would hinder efforts to provide more aid to Ukraine. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote in a letter to colleagues, "Unfortunately, the standalone legislation...is not being offered in good faith."
Fund allocation
Provisions of the Israel aid package
The proposed bill included $17.6 billion in military aid for Israel and replenishment of US defense systems. It allocated $4 billion for Israel's missile defense systems, $1.2 billion to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats, funding for advanced weapons systems. Meanwhile, the US$118 billion (approximately Rs. 97,000 crore) border security and international assistance package was introduced by the Democrats-led Senate on Sunday. It includes $14.1 billion in aid for Israel, $60 billion for Ukraine, and $20 billion for border security.
Opposition reacts
House Speaker Johnson slams Biden for not supporting Israel aid
Prior to the vote, the White House issued a statement announcing President Biden's intent to veto the bill if it were to reach his desk. In response, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that it was "outrageous and shameful" for Biden to consider vetoing support for Israel "in their hour of greatest need." He also stated that the larger border and foreign aid plan would be "dead on arrival" in the lower chamber of Congress.