White House says Biden would veto standalone Israel funding bill: ‘Another cynical political maneuver’
by Brett Samuels - 02/05/24 6:24 PM ET
The White House on Monday blasted a standalone funding proposal for Israel separate from other national security needs, calling it a “cynical political maneuver” and warning that President Biden would veto the legislation.
The Office of Management and Budget took aim at the $17.6 billion Israel bill that is set for a vote in the House this week, while the Senate is teeing up a vote on a bipartisan bill that includes funding for Israel, Ukraine and border security.
“The Administration spent months working with a bipartisan group of Senators to reach a national security agreement that secures the border and provides support for the people of Ukraine and Israel, while also providing much-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by conflicts around the world,” the White House said in a “Statement of Administration Policy.”
“Instead of working in good faith to address the most pressing national security challenges, this bill is another cynical political maneuver,” the statement continued.
“The security of Israel should be sacred, not a political game. The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s] aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children.”
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4449804-white-house-says-biden-would-veto-standalone-israel-funding-bill-another-cynical-political-maneuver/