House Republicans are set to push forward with a $17.6 billion military aid package for Israel, which includes replenishing U.S. weapons supplies. However, the package does not include additional assistance for Ukraine, highlighting the challenges faced by proponents of a comprehensive national security bill that would also allocate billions of dollars for immigration enforcement.
Although the Senate is unlikely to support this aid package, the move allows Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans to demonstrate their solidarity with Israel. Meanwhile, a more extensive Senate compromise is expected to be unveiled this weekend, with a crucial test vote scheduled for the upcoming week.
Johnson emphasized that Senate leaders’ exclusion of the House from their negotiations eliminates the possibility of promptly considering any legislation. In a letter to colleagues, he stated, “The House will have to work its will on these issues, and our priorities will need to be addressed.”
In November, the House already passed a military aid package worth almost $14.5 billion for Israel, which the Senate did not take up. Republicans insisted on funding the package through cuts elsewhere, primarily targeting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, the Congressional Budget Office warned that this approach would ultimately cost the federal government a net $12.5 billion due to lost tax revenue.
The inclusion of IRS cuts made the bill a more partisan issue, resulting in a 226-196 vote. Johnson believes that removing these offsets will facilitate the swift passage of the aid package for Israel. He stated, “Democrats made clear that their primary objection to the original House bill was with its offsets. The Senate will no longer have excuses, however misguided, against swift passage of this critical support for our ally.”
Representative Ken Calvert, a Republican from California, released the text of the military assistance bill for Israel. It allocates $4 billion to replenish missile defense systems and $1.2 billion to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats. The bill also includes funding for advanced weapons systems procurement and the enhancement of artillery and munitions production.
To ensure that this support does not compromise U.S. readiness, the aid package includes $4.4 billion to replenish U.S. stocks of weapons provided to Israel, as well as $3.3 billion for ongoing U.S. military operations in the region.
House Republicans are moving forward with a $17.6 billion package that provides military aid to Israel and replenishes U.S. weapons. However, the package does not include additional help for Ukraine. The move allows Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans to show support for Israel, even though the Senate is unlikely to pass it. A broader Senate compromise is expected to be released soon, and a key test vote on that package will be held during the week. The House has already approved a military aid package for Israel, but the Senate declined to take it up. The new package removes offsets, which should allow for swift passage of the aid. The bill provides funding for missile defense systems, countering short-range threats, and enhancing the production of artillery and munitions. It also replenishes U.S. stocks of weapons provided to Israel and includes funding for current U.S. military operations in the region.
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