The House of Representatives recently passed a $26 billion foreign aid bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, providing funding for Israel and humanitarian aid to Gaza. The bill polarized members of Congress, with the most right-wing members upset over aid going to Gaza and the most left-wing members opposed to additional lethal aid to Israel. Despite this, the measure passed with a vote of 366 to 58, and the chamber erupted into applause after its passing. The bill also prohibits funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), with allegations of ties to Hamas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., championed this bill as part of a larger set of bills totaling $95 billion in foreign aid, showing success in navigating a complex political landscape.
Tensions in the Middle East have been escalating, particularly between Israel and Iran as Israel retaliates against Palestinian terror group Hamas. Israel has carried out limited strikes against Iran in response to airstrikes launched by Tehran. Despite these actions, no significant damage or casualties have been reported. The issue of Israel has been divisive for Democrats, with a growing faction of left-wing lawmakers criticizing Israel’s response to Hamas attacks on October 7. However, Republicans have remained united in supporting Israel and its conservative government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaker Johnson previously introduced two funding bills for Israel on the House floor, one with offsets to the IRS and another without any strings attached, both of which were not taken up by the Senate. This time around, fiscal conservatives have criticized the lack of offsets and funding for Gaza in the $26 billion bill. House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., expressed concerns during debate on the bill stating that the legislation contains funding for FEMA unrelated to supporting Israel, as well as over $9 billion in aid for Gaza and the West Bank. He cited a Heritage Foundation report indicating that U.S. taxpayer-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza could potentially be diverted to support Hamas attacks.
The passage of the foreign aid bill comes at a crucial time as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. This includes direct conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as Israel’s military actions against Hamas. Speaker Johnson’s leadership in navigating the complex political landscape has been highlighted through the successful passing of this bill and others totaling $95 billion in foreign aid. Despite opposition from both the right and left wings of Congress, the bipartisan support for this bill signifies a strong commitment to supporting Israel and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Democrats played a key role in saving Johnson’s $95 billion foreign aid plan from GOP opposition, helping it move forward in the House. The issue of aid to Israel and humanitarian aid to Gaza remains a contentious one, with differing opinions on how best to allocate funds and address the ongoing conflict in the region. The passage of this bill represents a significant step in addressing these issues and supporting key allies in the Middle East. Speaker Johnson’s leadership in shepherding these bills through a divided Congress showcases the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing complex international challenges.
