Congressman Huffman Statement on H.R. 7217 Supplemental Vote

February 06, 2024

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) released the following statement on his vote against H.R. 7217, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.

“In November, House Republicans cynically conditioned supplemental aid to Israel on offsetting cuts to the IRS as part of their endless attempts to protect billionaires and corporations from paying taxes.  Now they are at it again, using an incomplete standalone Israel funding bill as a partisan cudgel to thwart a broader bipartisan supplemental bill, which includes not only Israel but also humanitarian aid for innocent Palestinians, military support for Ukraine, and reforms to address the crisis at our southern border, among other things.  These shameful partisan stunts must stop. 

“After months of hard-fought negotiations, President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators reached a compromise agreement that – while not ideal – would support Israel and other our allies, provide dire humanitarian aid for civilians, and improve conditions at the border. Republicans have screamed from the rooftops about immigration, hijacked congressional hearings, convened useless photo-ops at the border, and held important bipartisan legislation hostage for months ostensibly because of their concern about the border.  But now, at the 11th hour, they have decided to kill a bipartisan deal that delivers on all these issues, including the border, because Donald Trump is telling them not to give President Biden a political win.  Tonight’s standalone vote on military aid to Israel is nothing more than partisan theater.  In the unlikely event the bill passes, President Biden has promised to veto it. 

I stand with the President in supporting military aid to Israel, Ukraine and other allies, and in supporting urgent humanitarian aid for Palestinians.  I also join President Biden in opposing tonight’s cynical stunt by House Republicans, and urging Speaker Johnson to bring the bipartisan comprehensive supplemental funding deal to a vote.”

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