Republicans easily passed the emergency funding bill for Israel in the House this evening by a vote of 226-196.
They gained 12 votes from Democrats and lost two Republican votes:
BREAKING: The House of Representatives just passed standalone funding for Israel — paid for with cuts to Biden's IRS shakedown on the middle class.
Biden has pledged to veto the bipartisan bill if it reaches his desk. pic.twitter.com/EJq4rf9fSb
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 2, 2023
The bill provides what appears to be around $8.7 billion in emergency funding to the state of Israel as they fight a war against Hamas:
Today, the House passed an Israel aid package – reaffirming our unwavering support for our strongest ally in the Middle East.
This bill provides:
✅ $4 billion for Iron Dome and David’s Sling
✅ $3.5 billion for advanced weapons systems
✅ $1.2 billion for Iron Beam🇺🇸🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/WOI5WK5GKV
— Congressman Drew Ferguson (@RepDrewFerguson) November 2, 2023
Of course Biden says he’s going to veto the ‘only Israel’ bill and Schumer says he isn’t going to take it up in the Senate. We’ll see.
The two Republicans who voted against the bill were Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie. Greene claims she’s ‘America first’ and that’s why she voted against it:
I support Israel, their statehood, and right to defend themselves in the manner they choose.
However I unapologetically demand America’s border be our first priority.
Hear why I voted no for the additional funding for Israel at this time. pic.twitter.com/Xo73gCImwO
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 2, 2023
Yes, we have an open border and it’s all Biden’s fault. I agree. But that doesn’t mean we can’t aid an ally whose very existence is under siege right now by enemies all sides.
Massie says we can’t afford it and that’s why he voted no:
Soaring inflation and high interest rates are due to overspending.
We can’t afford more foreign aid.
I voted against the billions for Ukraine, and I am voting against $14+ billion of foreign aid for Israel tonight.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 2, 2023
I don’t disagree either. But we spend money on a lot of things we can’t afford and if we’re going to spend our hard-earned tax dollars somewhere, I’d rather it be heading to Israel in their time of need.