Democrats on Capitol Hill are criticizing a GOP House bill tying funding for Israel to stripping money from the Internal Revenue Service.
The
measure, released on Oct. 30, 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.
The House is expected to vote on it on Nov. 2.
“The House GOP’s bill is dead on arrival. We face a set of urgent and interrelated national security priorities, and we cannot do half the job. We’ve got to address all of them in a serious, bipartisan way—in one package,”
posted Senate Appropriations Chairwoman and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on X, formerly Twitter.
“Our support for Israel must always come before politics. It is unconscionable that the majority would try to seize on the trauma and urgency of this moment to push for partisan offsets. The price for these political points will be paid in Jewish lives,”
posted Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on X.
The bill allocates $4 billion—which can be used until Sept. 30, 2026—for the Iron Dome missile defense and David’s Sling air defense systems.
There is no specific funding for the Arrow missile defense systems, though money is fungible and it is likely that Air Force missile procurement could be used for that crucial element of Israel’s defense systems.
“It’s sickening that Republicans want to play political games with aid to Israel while Israelis and American hostages suffer at the hands of Hamas. How dare they politicize this crisis for cheap political points. Israel needs our help,”
posted Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) on X.
“Steep learning curve for the new speaker. Pro tip: don’t offset your help to Israel by also helping Hamas. Cuts to IRS enforcement capabilities benefits tax cheats, criminals, and illicit funding networks like the ones supporting Hamas,”
posted Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) on X, taking a shot at Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), who was elected on Oct. 25 to the position second in line to the president.
The legislation sets aside $801.4 million—which can be used until Sept. 30, 2026, the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year—for Israel procuring army ammunition, $10 million for naval weapons acquisitions, and $38.6 million for air force missiles.
“This moment obviously requires serious leadership. Instead, the new speaker chose to play politics right out of the gate with this emergency funding bill,”
posted Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) on X.
Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.)
accused the GOP of using the Israel funding issue as a political wedge.
There is $1.35 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluating Israel’s defense—for use until Sept. 30, 2025—$1.2 billion of which can be used for developing the Iron Beam defense system, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets.
“In his first move, @SpeakerJohnson shows us who he is and what his caucus stands for by endangering Israel and the world for MAGA political red meat. Organizations committed to the decades-long bipartisan support for Israel must stand firmly against such grotesque partisan games,”
posted Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on X.
Mr. Johnson’s first move as speaker was putting forth a resolution condemning Hamas and expressing support for Israel— which
overwhelmingly passed on Oct. 25—just hours after being elected speaker.
However, at least one Democrat will support the bill despite his criticism of IRS funding being eliminated.
“A political mailer as policy put forward by unserious people. Was this in the speaker’s Bible? To choose between Israel and the IRS. This is dead in the Senate. It violates Republicans’ single-subject spending rule. It adds to the deficit. I will support Israel,”
posted Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) on X.
He said that the issue of supporting Israel “is not a game.”
