President Biden says he will veto H.R. 7217, a standalone bill that would set aside $17.6 billion for Israel.
According to a White House press release, “The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 7217, making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the attacks in Israel.”
The Biden administration calls the bill “another cynical political maneuver.”
“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 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,” states the press release.
Instead of pushing this bill, the Biden Administration calls for Congress to “instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Acts to the President’s desk.”
Biden has promised to sign the bipartisan bill, calling it “the toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades.”
The president also promised to veto H.R. 7217 if it were to make it to his desk.
“If the President were presented with H.R. 7217, he would veto it,” the White House noted.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fl) condemned Biden for his veto threat regarding H.R. 7217.
“President Biden has reached a new low! By threatening to veto vital Isreal aid, he has embraced the Pro-Hamas caucus to the detriment of our ally the Jewish State of Israel & the Jewish people. Make no mistake, Congress will override President Biden’s pathetic veto threat,” said Gimenez.
🚨President Biden has reached a NEW LOW!
By threatening to veto vital Israel aid, he has embraced the Pro-Hamas caucus to the detriment of our ally the Jewish State of #Israel & the Jewish people.
Make no mistake, Congress will override President Biden’s pathetic veto threat! https://t.co/92monbEaVj
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) February 5, 2024
H.R. 7217 was crafted in the House, with Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) leading the charge.
According to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the House is stepping up the plate with legislation since the Senate seems to be standstill.
“As I have said consistently for the past three months, the House will have to work its will on these issues and our priorities will need to be addressed,” said Johnson.
