Title: House Passes $14.3 Billion Israel Aid Bill with Opposition from Democrats and Republicans

The House of Representatives voted 366-58 on Saturday to approve a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel, as part of a larger bill offering $95 billion in aid to U.S. allies and related military and humanitarian programs. The funding aims to provide support to Israel's military operations in the Middle East and allocate $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other areas affected by the conflict. The bill also includes $400 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding.

The vote highlighted a significant shift in Democratic support for Israel since the October 7 attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Notably, 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans, largely representing the far-left and far-right factions of their respective parties, opposed the funding for Israel. The dissent also comes amidst a growing trend of isolationism among Republicans, largely influenced by former President Donald Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stressed the importance of the bill, stating that without its inclusion, Israel would not have had a direct route to receive necessary funding. The vote indicates that although strong majorities in both parties still support Israel, the number of opposing votes in this instance would have been unlikely prior to the October 7 attack.

Notable Democrats who voted against the bill include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Barbara Lee, and Joaquin Castro. Similarly, Republicans such as Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Bob Good were among those who opposed the aid package.

Critics from both parties expressed concerns with aspects of the bill. Conservatives, especially those aligned with the Freedom Caucus, have consistently opposed additional aid to Israel without corresponding spending cuts. Some Democrats voiced objections to offensive weapons that could potentially lead to civilian casualties.

Despite the opposition, the passage of the aid bill demonstrates the enduring support for Israel in Congress. However, the voting also reflects the evolving dynamics surrounding U.S. foreign aid policy and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The aid bill will now advance to the Senate as a single package, where it will face further deliberations and potential amendments.