House Dem Leader Criticizes Speaker Johnson’s Israel Aid Proposal
Democrats Criticize Standalone Bill for Aid to Israel
On Sunday, the top Democrat in the House belittled a standalone bill offered by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) that aims to send more aid to Israel, characterizing the proposal as not being “comprehensive” enough because it does not address other national security priorities.
Democrats will “evaluate” the legislation over the next few days, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on ABC’s “This Week,” which prompted ABC’s George Stephanopoulos to press him on whether that means he’s open to the bill.
“Well, to decide the way forward as it relates to America’s national security priorities,” Jeffries said. “Clearly, we’ve got to support Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas and to defeat Hamas. We also need to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to bring the hostages home, including American citizens.”
Jeffries alluded to a national security supplemental package being negotiated in the Senate that is expected to include aid to Israel as well as support for other causes, saying that the U.S. should be able to “surge” humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians as Israel fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Beyond that, we also have to address the national security priorities of the American people in other parts of the world,” he added. “First and foremost, certainly to support Ukraine’s effort to push back against Russian aggression, also to support our allies in the Indo-Pacific — Taiwan, Japan, South Korea. The legislation being put forth by House Republicans does none of that. The responsible approach is a comprehensive one to address America’s national security priorities.”
Fourteen House Democrats broke ranks and helped Republicans pass a bill in November that would give $14.3 billion in aid to Israel coupled with a matching cut in funds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Johnson, who has suggested that splitting up aid for U.S. allies is the fiscally responsible thing to do and indicated the Senate compromise would be “dead on arrival” in the House, indicated his new offering would not include the offset idea that the Democrat-led Senate has refused even to consider.
“Given the Senate’s failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, and the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel, the House will continue to lead. Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package,” Johnson said in a Saturday letter announcing his proposal.
“During debate in the House and in numerous subsequent statements, Democrats made clear that their primary objection to the original House bill was with its offsets,” Johnson added. “The Senate will no longer have excuses, however misguided, against swift passage of this critical support for our ally.”
The White House released a statement on Saturday that highlighted how Johnson unveiled his new proposal as legislative text in the Senate was imminent after months of negotiations that included input from the Biden administration.
“We strongly oppose this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s aggression, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Stephanopoulos asked Jeffries to respond to “progressive” members, specifically naming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), saying they want “conditions” on more aid to Israel.
“Well, Israel has a right to defend itself,” Jeffries repeated. “And also, of course, a responsibility to conduct its war in a manner consistent with the international rules of conflict. We shouldn’t put conditions on the ability of any of our allies to defend themselves, particularly against a brutal terrorist regime like Hamas.”
How much aid does US give to Israel?
Total US foreign aid to Israel compared to other countries. 1946–2022. Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid: until February 2022, the United States had provided Israel US$150 billion (non-inflation-adjusted) in bilateral assistance. Ael, it is crucial that we send aid to our ally as quickly as possible,” Johnson said in a statement. “While I understand the concerns of my Democratic colleagues, I believe that providing standalone aid to Israel is a necessary step to ensure their safety and security.”
The debate over the standalone bill comes as violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with no signs of a ceasefire in sight. Millions of people have been affected by the conflict, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened dramatically.
Democrats argue that a comprehensive approach is necessary to address not only the immediate needs of Israel but also the broader national security priorities of the United States. They believe that providing assistance to Israel should be coupled with support for other allies, such as Ukraine and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
They also emphasize the importance of addressing the plight of Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. While supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, they believe that the United States should also prioritize providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
House Republicans, on the other hand, argue that sending standalone aid to Israel is the most effective and efficient way to support our ally during this crisis. They believe that tying aid to other issues, such as IRS funding or unrelated national security priorities, would only delay the process and potentially put Israel’s security at risk.
The divide between Democrats and Republicans on this issue is reflective of a larger debate within the United States about its role in the world and how it should prioritize its national security interests. While both parties agree on the importance of supporting Israel, they differ on the best approach to achieve that goal.
As the debate continues, the situation on the ground in Israel and Gaza remains dire. The international community, including the United States, must find a way to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the conflict and work towards a lasting solution that will bring peace and stability to the region.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...