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House Set to Vote on Standalone Bill for $17.6 Billion in Aid to Israel
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that the House will vote on a standalone bill next week to provide $17.6 billion in funding aid to Israel. The legislation, known as the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, aims to offer significant military assistance to Israel and allocate funds for U.S. forces in the region, as was reported by the New York Post on Saturday. This move comes in response to the Senate’s bipartisan negotiations over a border security deal, which is anticipated to include foreign aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, spearheaded by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), has garnered support from House Republican leadership and the GOP-controlled Appropriations Committee, according to the report in the Post. The decision to present a standalone bill underscores the House’s commitment to addressing critical issues and priorities, particularly in the face of the Senate’s exclusion of the House from negotiations.
In a letter obtained by The Post, House Speaker Johnson criticized the Senate for conducting bipartisan negotiations behind closed doors without involving the House. Johnson expressed frustration with the Senate’s failure to move legislation swiftly, particularly amid the “perilous circumstances currently facing Israel,” according to the information provided in the Post report. Emphasizing the urgency of providing aid to the U.S. Middle East ally, Johnson announced the House’s decision to take the lead by introducing and passing a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package.
“While the Senate appears poised to finally release text of their supplemental package after months of behind closed doors negotiations, their leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for swift consideration of any legislation,” Johnson wrote, adding that “the House will have to work its will on these issues and our priorities will need to be addressed,” as was reported by the Post.
Johnson continued to tear into the Senate for its “failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion.” and said that, “next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package.”
The House Speaker’s decision to present a standalone bill appears to increase pressure on Democrats to support the proposed legislation. The report in the Post said that Johnson highlighted that Democrats’ primary objection to the original House bill was related to offsets. To address this concern, the standalone bill excludes any offsets, potentially facilitating swifter passage of the critical support for Israel.
While the House prepares to vote on the standalone bill, it remains uncertain whether the Senate will consider a similar standalone Israel aid bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) recently announced his expectation for the Senate’s supplemental spending bill, including aid for Ukraine and Israel, as well as border security measures, to be available by Sunday, as was indicated in the Post report. The Senate is anticipated to commence voting on these issues in the coming week.
The forthcoming House vote on the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act reflects a commitment to addressing the urgent needs of Israel and U.S. forces in the region. As the Senate unveils its own border and foreign aid deal, the dynamics of bipartisan negotiations and the outcome of the House’s standalone bill will play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of U.S. foreign aid and security policies in the Middle East.
