WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives rejected a Republican-led bill that would have given Israel $17.6 billion as Democrats said they wanted to vote instead on a broader measure that would also provide aid to Ukraine, international humanitarian funding and new money for border security.
The vote was 250 to 180, which failed because it was brought through an expedited process that required a two-thirds majority to pass. The vote was largely along party lines, although 14 Republicans opposed the bill and 46 Democrats supported it.
Many opponents have called the House legislation a political ploy by Republicans to deflect attention from their opposition to the $118 billion Senate bill, which combines an overhaul of US immigration policy and new funding for border security with billions of dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine, Israel and partner countries Indo-Pacific region.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Senate bill was “dead on arrival” in the House before it was even introduced. And Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they didn’t think the measure would get enough votes to pass.
Democratic President Joe Biden, who supports the Senate bill, has vowed to veto only the House Israel measure.
