Senate faces off with House over $143 billion Israel aid bill
The House is set to vote on a bill providing $143 billion in aid to Israel, sparking a potential conflict with the Senate led by Democrats This early test of Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership also raises concerns about proposed funding cuts and aid to Ukraine
The House approved a bill on Thursday to allocate $14.3 billion in aid to Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas, prompting a confrontation with the Democratic-led Senate and serving as an initial test of Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has denounced the House GOP bill as a "seriously flawed proposition" that will not be considered by the Senate. Democrats are expressing concerns about the bill's exclusion of aid to Ukraine and its implementation of budget reductions for the Internal Revenue Service.
Democrats are urging for additional security assistance for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia to be included in aid to Israel. While there is bipartisan support for aid to Israel and Ukraine in the Senate, many Republicans in the House oppose providing more aid to Ukraine. As a way to cover the cost of the $14.3 billion in Israel aid, the House bill proposes cutting $14.3 billion in funding for the Internal Revenue Service. However, the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan organization, has warned that this proposal would actually increase the deficit and result in a loss of approximately $26.8 billion in revenue over the span of 10 years.
Democrats argue that providing aid to Israel should not be contingent upon implementing funding cuts. They have criticized the GOP proposal, citing the assessment from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), deeming it unserious. Schumer pointed out the hypocrisy of cutting funding to target tax evaders, which would actually result in a significant increase in the deficit. He dismissed the House GOP's flawed proposal, stating that the Senate will focus on developing a bipartisan emergency aid package. This package would encompass assistance to Israel, Ukraine, competing with the Chinese government, and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The House and Senate are deeply divided as government funding is due to expire on November 17, with the looming threat of a government shutdown. The newly appointed House speaker has justified his stance of making Israel aid contingent on IRS spending cuts. Additionally, he has indicated that he will not endorse an emergency supplemental package that lacks offsets.
"I did not attach it for political purposes, okay. I attached it because, once again, we are aiming to return to the core principle of fiscal responsibility," stated Johnson during a news conference on Thursday. "And that was the most convenient and significant source of funds available to meet this urgent obligation."
Johnson also pledged to pass a Ukraine aid package once the issue of Israel is addressed, but insisted that it must be accompanied by stricter provisions for border security. This decision adds further uncertainty to the funding prospects for Ukraine in Washington.
"Ukraine's arrival is imminent; it will be next," asserted Johnson. "As we aim to address border security, it is essential that we address both Ukraine's and America's borders."
Johnson further emphasized the necessity of another interim funding measure to prevent a government shutdown on November 17. He favors a measure that extends until January 15, although the specific details are still being determined.
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.
CNNs Haley Talbot, Kristin Wilson and Mel Zanona contributed.Â
