The House of Representatives has had a busy few days. Senators had been secretly negotiating a border bill for months. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, quickly declared the proposal dead.
The House voted 214 to 216 on Tuesday and failed to impeach the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas despite the incredible failures he has had at the border.
But Tuesday wasn’t over for lawmakers–and in the evening, they voted down a $17.6 standalone Israel aid package–“standalone” meaning that it was not tied to Ukraine aid or anything else–as several Freedom Caucus Republicans joined Democrats to torpedo the measure.
Although the majority–240-180–voted for the package, a two-thirds “aye” vote was required due to procedural rules. Forty-six Democrats supported the package, while 166 voted against it. Two hundred and fourteen Republicans voted “yes” while 204 voted “nay.”
Republicans who didn’t support the package demanded that budget cuts be included to offset any increases.
Biden, as well as many Democratic lawmakers, have insisted that any proposed Israel aid package be linked to a larger $118 billion supplemental Security Package. This package would also include billions of dollars for Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, was angry about the vote.
My statement on Israel Aid Package: pic.twitter.com/YPBxeGlbsO
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 7, 2024
Johnson was critical of those who refused the vote, stating that they did not have a real policy objection but were simply using Israel’s struggle against Hamas to “leverage”.
Democrats were unable to raise any substantive objections to the current legislation. They are committing to use Israel’s assistance as leverage to push through other priorities that do not have the same level of consensus.
He said that Biden, and the Dems, should be ashamed that they failed to help one of our closest allies when they were in need.
It is wrong to use Israel’s aid in its struggle for survival. The White House and the Democrats in Congress should be ashamed.
The vote reveals the swamp that is Washington, D.C. They punted when they had the chance to assist Israel in its existential crisis.
Many of these bills are “standalone” and should not be bundled together. This tactic allows lawmakers to push through their pet projects while enacting things that may not be as popular as the other parts of the package.
The House of Representatives left Israel by itself on Tuesday night.
