Washington — House Republicans want to pay for emergency aid to Israel by cutting funding to the IRS, teeing up a collision with the White House and Democratic-controlled Senate over how to support a key U.S. ally.
The House GOP released a $14.3 billion standalone measure on Monday that would pay for aid to Israel by cutting the same amount in funding that was allocated to the IRS under the Inflation Reduction Act, one of President Biden's signature pieces of legislation.
"We're going to have pays-for in [the bill]," House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News on Monday. "We're not just going to print money and send it overseas."
The Republican bill sets up a battle over support for Israel, with Mr. Biden and Democrats in the Senate wanting to pair aid for Israel with tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, which some House Republicans oppose. The White House asked Congress for a $105 billion aid package two weeks ago, which included $14 billion for Israel and $61 billion related to Ukraine.
Johnson, who supports separating the aid packages, acknowledged that the cuts to the IRS would be unpopular among Democrats, but said he planned to call Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a "direct" and "thoughtful conversation."
"I understand their priority is to bulk up the IRS," Johnson told Fox News. "But I think if you put this to the American people and they weigh the two needs, I think they're going to say standing with Israel and protecting the innocent over there is in our national interest and is a more immediate need than IRS agents."
The House Rules Committee plans to take up the GOP's Israel bill on Wednesday.
I like it. I also like that Mike makes the comment "We're not just going to print money and send it overseas." Nice...some sanity finally.
How about we cut funding to the IRS and just abolish taxes?
It's coming...
How about the military stepping in and arresting every traitor, in every facet of government, including federal state and local
Two steps forward, one step back?
Yes, seems that way. Plus, I don't think the Senate will ever go for it so this could also be a great stalling move.
Progress is progress.
more like a request he knows the dems won't agree to. I guarantee that money is already spent
We have sent billions every year. What will 14 billion more do? You'd think they were fighting Russia or China, and not some rag tag bunch of Arab terrorists. You're trying to tell me they are so dependent they need every penny they can squeeze out of the American people?
They think throwing in the reduction of the IRS resources will appease the people. Hell the same people run it that run Israel. They are just changing pockets they stick the money in.
I'm tired of their continuing harassment of the remaining taxpayers while paying illegals and dawdlers who don't work.
Bold Chess Move.
I think this bill states that Ukraine are getting nothing at all.
IRS, Isreal, aren't they the same, just here foe the money? Haven't we given Isreal enough money over the decades and decades.....
I like it............
NOT ONE MORE PENNY FOR ISRAEL OR UKRAINE...PERIOD!
Remind me why one of the richest nations in the world with one of the most robust and state of the art militaries(that we already massively fund every year) needs even MORE money because of an internal conflict that their military should be able to easily handle with the funding and equipment they already have?
I like this approach, force the DS to pick one limb over another.