House Republicans have successfully passed a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel in a largely partisan vote, setting the stage for a contentious battle with Senate Democrats and the White House. The bill excludes funds for Ukraine and includes cuts to IRS coffers, a move that has drawn criticism from the opposition party. While the bill marks an early victory for newly installed Speaker Mike Johnson, it also raises questions about the path for getting the aid package to President Biden's desk.

The vote, which resulted in a 226-196 approval, fell mostly along party lines, with 12 Democrats joining Republicans to move the bill through the lower chamber. However, the Democratic opposition extends to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that his chamber will not consider the "deeply flawed proposal." Instead, Schumer intends to work with senators from both parties to develop a comprehensive package that includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, competition with the Chinese government, and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Despite the House's approval, the Biden administration has threatened to veto the legislation, arguing that it is not in the best interests of Israel, the Middle East region, or the national security of the United States. This disagreement highlights the ongoing divide between Republicans and Democrats over foreign aid and Middle East policy.

The aid package, spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson, aims to unite a fractured GOP conference and prioritize fiscal responsibility. By isolating the Israel funding and combining it with IRS cuts, Johnson sought to address concerns among conservatives about deficits and overseas spending. With the exception of Reps. Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who opposed the bill citing reservations about overreaching U.S. involvement in foreign affairs, the package garnered support from the Republican conference.

However, the GOP's tactics have complicated the path forward, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also expressed reservations about the House legislation. McConnell suggests combining the aid for Israel and Ukraine into one package, a move that Speaker Johnson opposes. Johnson emphasized that consideration of Ukraine aid will come next in the House, and he reiterated his intention to link funding for Kyiv with U.S. border security.

Meanwhile, President Biden has put forward a larger $106 billion emergency aid package that includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, border security, and allies in the Indo-Pacific. However, Republican resistance to funding for Ukraine and the opposition to linking support for the two U.S. allies has led House GOP leaders to separate the package, moving Israel aid as a standalone bill. Speaker Johnson has warned GOP senators that a larger package would not pass through the lower chamber.

The Republican effort to pair the $14.3 billion in foreign aid for Israel with equal cuts in IRS funding has been hailed as a way to control deficit spending. However, critics argue that the IRS cuts would add billions of dollars to the federal debt by eroding the agency's ability to conduct audits. Democrats have strongly opposed this provision, accusing Johnson and GOP lawmakers of creating a political trap by forcing liberals to choose between supporting Israel or siding with the IRS.

The inclusion of IRS cuts in the bill, along with the exclusion of humanitarian aid for Gaza, has united both pro-Israel lawmakers and pro-Palestinian liberals in their opposition. Some of Israel's staunchest Democratic allies have voiced concerns about Speaker Johnson jeopardizing Israel's security by tying assistance to unrelated issues.

In response to these criticisms, Speaker Johnson has defended his decision as a way to prioritize fiscal responsibility and engage in a necessary debate about resource allocation. Johnson stated that the move was not motivated by political considerations but rather aimed at getting back to the principle of fiscal responsibility.

The passing of the aid package in the House represents an early success for Speaker Johnson's leadership as he seeks to navigate legislative challenges amid the ongoing GOP discord and replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, the road ahead remains uncertain, with Senate Democrats and the Biden administration opposing the bill's current form. The coming weeks will show how the feuding chambers can find a compromise, particularly regarding the aid for Israel and Ukraine, amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the partisan divide in Washington.