US House Passes $14.3 Billion Military Aid Package for Israel Amid Regional Tensions
Washington D.C. — In a significant legislative move, the US House of Representatives on Thursday voted to approve a military aid package for Israel totaling USD 14.3 billion, a decision unfolding against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
According to Philippines News Agency,” the House advanced the legislation with a vote of 226-196, largely split along party lines. Despite the House’s approval, the act faces a challenging future, with strong indicators that it will not be passed by the Senate. Additionally, President Joe Biden has indicated a veto is possible, based on the legislation’s failure to include the majority of the supplemental funding over USD 105 billion he sought from Congress in late October.
The bill’s path in the Senate appears precarious, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asserting that the chamber will not consider the standalone bill, opting instead to focus on President Biden’s broader spending proposal. That proposal encompasses not only military aid for Israel but also includes a significant USD 61 billion in new funding for Ukraine and other allocations for border security and domestic policy objectives.
Anadolu Agency, the source of the report, noted that the House bill’s approval occurs in a context where the US already provides approximately USD 3.8 billion annually in military aid to Israel, the highest such figure globally. The new allocation aims to replenish military supplies already provided to Israel, support the Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems, and contribute to the development of the new Iron Beam laser defense technology.
Moreover, the legislation proposes a cut in funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which the Congressional Budget Office has assessed would add USD 26 billion to the national debt, contrary to reducing it.
The US’s commitment to Israel’s military capabilities continues to be a focal point of its foreign aid, with the intended funds earmarked for critical defense needs amidst regional instability.