House Minority Leader Jeffries expressed the Democratic Party’s commitment to advancing bipartisan national security legislation that strongly supports Israel, maintains their dedication to Ukraine, and provides urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. However, he called on their Republican counterparts to cease playing what he termed “dangerous political games.”
This statement follows the approval of a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel by House Republicans on Thursday, setting the stage for a contentious standoff with Senate Democrats and the White House. Critics of the GOP bill have lambasted it for omitting Ukraine funds and reducing resources for the Internal Revenue Service.
President Biden has issued a veto threat against the Republican bill, if necessary, but the GOP proceeded with the vote regardless. The vote in the House, with a count of 226-196, largely adhered to GOP party lines. Twelve Democrats joined all but two Republicans in advancing the bill through the lower chamber.
Opposition from the Democratic side is expected to extend to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declared on Thursday that the Senate would not consider the “deeply flawed proposal.”
Instead, Schumer intends to collaborate with senators from both parties to formulate a comprehensive package that encompasses funding for Israel, Ukraine, addressing competition with the Chinese government, and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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