The measure allocates the $14.3 billion requested by the Biden administration, but offsets that amount with the same number in cuts to IRS funding.
The House passed a bill on Nov. 2 to provide $14.3 billion in funding to Israel amid its conflict with the Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups, with 194 Democrats voting in opposition.
The supplemental funding passed 226–196. Twelve Democrats voted in favor of it. Two Republicans voted against it: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
The measure allocates the $14.3 billion requested by the Biden administration but offsets that amount with the same number in cuts to IRS funding under the Inflation Reduction Act—a nonstarter for Democrats.
Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told The Epoch Times he was glad it passed but wished it went through unanimously.
“We’re grateful. I wish it had been supported by every member of the chamber,” he said. “This is clearly a big priority and we’re glad to send that to the Senate and we’ll take it from there.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said on the House floor that the bill, which he supported, would not get rid of current IRS agents, rather “tens of thousands of new proposed IRS agents.”
The legislation, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would add $12.5 billion to the national deficit over a decade.
The bill sets aside $4.4 billion for Israel to replenish its defense stockpiles. The secretary of defense would be required to notify Congress of the transfer of funds “not less than” 15 days beforehand.
The legislation allocates $801.4 million for Israel to procure army ammunition, $10 million for naval weapons acquisitions, and $38.6 million for air force missile procurement.
Most notably, the bill allocates $4 billion for the Iron Dome missile defense and David’s Sling air defense systems, critical in intercepting Hamas rockets and missiles.
There is $1.35 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluating of Israel’s defense—$1.2 billion of which can be used for developing the Iron Beam defense system, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets.
Finally, the bill allocates $3.65 billion for State Department operations in Israel.
The legislation allocates $801.4 million for Israel to procure army ammunition, $10 million for naval weapons acquisitions, and $38.6 million for air force missile procurement.
By Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord
