BILL: Should We Fund Israel's Defense? - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 - H.R.6126

The Bill

H.R.6126 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Bill Details

• Sponsored by Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) on Nov. 1, 2023
• Committees: House - Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
• House: Passed (226 to 196)
• Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• Allows for a $14.3 billion emergency supplemental appropriations to assist Israel in responding to the Hamas attacks for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024.
• Requires that the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State provide written reports to Congress detailing U.S. assistance to Israel to ensure accountability.
• The first major legislative action under new Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.)

What's in the Bill

Funded by IRS cuts

• The funding is offset by recessions from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, specifically Section 10301, which appropriated enhanced funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Strengthens American military

• Bolsters American military readiness by providing $4.4 billion to replenish domestic defense stockpiles.
• Supports U.S. embassy personnel and citizens in Israel by providing $150 million for an enhanced security presence.

Bolsters Israel's defenses

• Enhances Israel's defensive capabilities and stockpiles of munitions, including $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, $3.5 billion to procure advanced weapons systems, and $1 billion to support artillery and munitions production.

What Supporters Are Saying

• The House and Senate both voted overwhelmingly to pass resolutions in support of Israel as it defends itself against Hamas. The issue of Israel's defense consistently unites Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson said:

"The Senate and White House cannot let this moment pass, and I urge them to act swiftly and pass this bill as the House did today."

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said:

"Hamas has the sole paramount goal to destroy Israel and eradicate the Jewish people. It is simply genocide."

What Opponents Are Saying

• The White House released a statement, saying:

"The bill fails to meet the urgency of the moment by deepening our divides and severely eroding historic bipartisan support for Israel's security. It inserts partisanship into support for Israel, making our ally a pawn in our politics, at a moment we must stand together. It denies humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations around the world, including Palestinian civilians, which is a moral and strategic imperative." 

• Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, has been vocal in her calls for a ceasefire. She posted a video on X saying:

"We will remember in 2024. Joe Biden supported the genocide of the Palestinian people."

• The bill combined aid for Israel with cuts to the IRS and did not include provisions for Ukraine, which has led Biden to promise to veto the bill. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), majority leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, said he would not bring it up for a vote. Biden has urged Congress to approve a broader $106 billion emergency spending package that includes funding for Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
• Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said:

"This bill abandons Ukraine. We will not abandon Israel and we will not abandon Ukraine. But their fortunes are linked," she said.

• The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the IRS cuts and Israel aid in the House bill would add nearly $30 billion to the U.S. budget deficit, currently estimated at $1.7 trillion.

Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill

-Emma Kansiz

(Photo Credit: Canva)