The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected an amendment proposed by outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) that sought to eliminate $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel from the 2027 State Department funding bill.

Debate and Vote

The final vote was 104-314, with 10 lawmakers voting present. Massie was the sole Republican to vote in favor of the measure, while 103 Democrats supported it and 10 Democrats voted present.

During floor debate, Massie argued that the United States should prioritize domestic issues over foreign assistance, citing the nation’s rising national debt. He also contrasted the foreign aid allocation with funding for domestic programs, noting that Israel has the strongest economy in the Middle East and does not need U.S. financial support.

Massie expressed concern regarding alternative partnerships and the potential lack of transparency in other funding mechanisms. He stated that his opposition extends to all international assistance programs, not just aid to Israel.

Implications and Next Steps

The defeat of the amendment means that the base funding bill for the State Department will move forward in the legislative process. The bill includes $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel, which will continue to be a topic of debate in the coming months.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.