DeGette statement on no vote for Israel aid

November 2, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement after voting no on a bill that would have provided aid to Israel:

“I support emergency aid to Israel. However, I cannot support this politicized Republican bill before us today.

“Ignoring the assistance needed by Ukraine and the humanitarian needs in Gaza — as this bill does — will not make them go away. And, while I was surprised to see these issues totally ignored by the majority, I was not at all surprised to see House Republicans use this bill as a vehicle to make it easier for the ultra-wealthy to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

“This bill is unacceptable to the House Democratic Caucus – and Democratic and Republican Leadership in the Senate. President Biden has already issued a veto threat.

“I look forward to voting for a comprehensive bill that meets the moment and addresses funding for Israel, Ukraine, Gaza and the U.S. border.”

President Biden has requested a $106 billion comprehensive package that addresses the international crises we face, which includes:

$61.4 billion for Ukraine,
- $30 billion of which would go toward replenishing Defense Department stocks of weapons and equipment, and the continued delivery of arms to Ukraine;
$14.3 billion for Israel;
$13.6 billion for security and counter-drug trafficking measures along the U.S. southern border;
$10 billion in humanitarian aid;
$3.4 billion to bolster the U.S. submarine industrial base;
$2 billion for security assistance in the Indo-Pacific; and
$2 billion for the Treasury Department to provide an alternative to coercive financing for developing nations funded by China.

In contrast, today’s Republican-led bill includes only:

$14.3 billion in aid for Israel;
- Offset with a $14.3 billion cut to IRS funding.

Projections vary on how harmful the cut to IRS funding will be. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said a cut of this magnitude to tax enforcement could “actually cost taxpayers $90 billion.” The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that it would lead to a $26.8 billion decline in revenue.