WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to reject a $17.6 billion standalone military aid bill for Israel. The proposal faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, with accusations of it being a “cynical move” to undermine a bipartisan border security and foreign assistance package including aid for Ukraine.
This development reflects the ongoing partisan divide in Congress regarding aid allocation. While the standalone bill enjoyed wide bipartisan support for Israel, its timing and lack of budgetary offsets raised concerns. Meanwhile, the larger package combining Israel aid with Ukraine and border security funds faces opposition from both sides due to differing priorities and political calculations surrounding the upcoming elections.
The Biden administration expressed disapproval of the standalone bill, emphasizing its preference for the broader package and highlighting concerns about neglecting humanitarian assistance for Palestinians and undermining efforts to secure the US-Mexico border.
With the larger package currently stalled in Congress due to ongoing disagreements, the rejection of the standalone bill leaves both Israel and Ukraine awaiting crucial aid amidst ongoing security challenges. The path forward remains unclear as lawmakers navigate competing priorities and political pressures in the lead-up to the November elections.
