Fox’s first appearance: Republican Sens. Roger Marshall (Kansas) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) will consider forcing a vote on two different versions of a standalone Israel aid package in the Senate on Monday night.
Both Republicans plan to seek unanimous consent to force a vote on both Israel aid bills in the wake of Iran’s drone attack on Israel over the weekend. The bill totals $14.3 billion and includes cuts to President Biden’s $80 billion expansion of the Internal Revenue Service. Inflation Control Act (IRA) – The other is $17.6 billion and does not include its payment mechanism. The former will be led by Mr Marshall, but Blackburn is trying to force a vote on the latter.
In prepared remarks, Marshall is expected to tell his fellow senators that “over and over again, you’ll see members of Congress say they support Israel, even the Democratic majority leader this weekend.” has been done.
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Sens. Roger Marshall and Marsha Blackburn are scheduled to try to force a vote on the unilateral aid package for Israel on Monday night. (Getty Images)
“I want to tell my colleagues today that actions speak louder than words,” Marshall said in a prepared statement after unanimously agreeing to vote on the stand-alone Israel bill. “I’m tired of hearing all the same pro-Israel lip service.”History will remember all the efforts made to help Israel in its time of need. Let’s do the right thing. ”
“Democrats say they support Israel, but their actions since October 7 in repeatedly blocking emergency unilateral aid tell a different story,” Blackburn said in a statement. Told.
“Senator Marshall and I once again urge the Senate to quickly and unanimously provide the resources Israel needs to continue its fight against terrorism. In light of this weekend’s historic attack in Iran, “We hope that our Democratic colleagues will put politics aside and join us in supporting our Jewish friends.” ”
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Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system was launched to intercept a missile fired from Iran in central Israel on April 14, 2024. (AP/Tomer Neuberg)
Democratic senators are likely to oppose the request, as the caucus maintains a desire to link aid to Israel with aid to Ukraine.
Marshall previously tried to force a vote on the same bill late last year, but his request for unanimous consent was opposed by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who said on the floor, We cannot afford to delay it,” he said. than our allies in Israel. ”
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The bill, which provides aid only to Israel and not Ukraine or Taiwan, passed the House last year on a near party-line vote of 226 to 196. Two Republicans withdrew from the conference, and 12 Democrats voted with the Republicans. This measure’s reduction in IRS funding was a particularly controversial aspect of the bill, as it took away funds earmarked within his IRA law, which Biden had touted. . Republicans argued that additional funding for the IRS would result in more Americans being audited, while Democrats argued that it would instead prevent the wealthy from paying taxes.
Chairman Mike Johnson remains adamant that border security measures are necessary in exchange for aid to Ukraine.
The White House on Monday reiterated its threat to veto aid to Israel that is not tied to other foreign aid. “Isolated reporting is unacceptable,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a White House press briefing.
“Alone, we can’t really help Israel and Ukraine,” she said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (AP/Susan Walsh/File)
National Security Communications Press Secretary John Kirby reiterated the White House’s opposition at the same briefing, telling reporters, “We are opposed to a standalone bill that only affects Israel.”
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Marshall and Blackburn each voted against an additional $95.3 billion foreign aid package in February that included Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Mr. Marshall opposed the aid and told his colleagues that voting against the bill would amount to America’s “prioritizing national security by securing our borders first.”
“Everyone here in Washington, D.C., our friends across the aisle, and everyone in the White House continues to prioritize funding for Ukraine,” he said.
