Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, H.R. 6126.  If enacted, the bill would send $14.3 billion to Israel and purportedly pay for this spending with $14.5 billion in cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

“President Biden has requested and I support emergency assistance for our allies Israel and Ukraine, and other national security priorities,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Today’s bill, however, represents a cynical political effort rather than the serious, bipartisan one we should undertake at this critical moment.  By separating national security funding for our allies, conditioning funding, and eliminating humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, including the Palestinian and Israeli civilians impacted by the violence of war, this bill fails to meet the moment and the needs of the people who are waiting on us to act.  

“Congress has a long history of passing emergency supplemental funding bills, and support for Israel, on a bipartisan basis and without conditions,” continued Congresswoman Fletcher.  “By demanding partisan offsets in return for national security and emergency aid, the conditions in this bill undermine our national security and set a dangerous precedent.  By failing to provide funding for humanitarian assistance, a moral and strategic imperative, the omissions in this bill undermine efforts for resolution and long-term peace in the region.

“At a moment like this, Democrats and Republicans must stand together to pass a bipartisan emergency aid bill without conditions,” concluded Congresswoman Fletcher.  “I expect the Senate to pass a different bill with aid for Israel and other allies that does not have any conditions attached and that includes humanitarian aid.   I am ready to vote for such a bill.”

A cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that H.R. 6126 would have a net increase of $26.7 billion on the national deficit.