House Republicans have unveiled a $14.3 billion standalone measure to provide emergency aid to Israel, proposing to fund it by cutting the same amount from the IRS budget, specifically from the funding allocated under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the GOP intends to implement “pays-for” in the bill rather than printing more money for international aid.
The proposed Republican bill has immediately drawn criticism, particularly from the Biden administration and Democrats in the Senate. President Biden and Senate Democrats have advocated for pairing aid to Israel with substantial financial support for Ukraine, a stance that has met resistance from some House Republicans. The White House had previously requested a $105 billion aid package, allocating $14 billion for Israel and $61 billion related to Ukraine.
Johnson defended the GOP’s proposal, asserting that supporting Israel is a national priority and a more immediate need than funding IRS initiatives. He acknowledged the unpopularity of cutting IRS funding among Democrats but expressed willingness to engage in discussions with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to address these concerns directly.
However, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, labeled the bill a “nonstarter,” stating that demanding offsets for essential national security needs like supporting Israel and defending Ukraine could set a dangerous precedent. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro and GOP Sen. Susan Collins, voiced their reservations about the bill, expressing concerns about the implications of offsetting emergency spending with budget cuts.
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to review the GOP’s Israel aid bill on Wednesday, setting the stage for a contentious debate over how to allocate resources for crucial international aid while balancing domestic priorities.
