House Republicans on Monday proposed giving Israel $14.3 billion in emergency military aid, but their bill would pay for that aid "by cutting IRS funds aimed at cracking down on rich tax cheats and improving taxpayer service," The Washington Post reported. The aid package is the first substantive legislation released under new House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). And if it passes in the House, it stands no chance of making it through the Senate.
President Biden requested $14.3 billion to help Israel in its war against Hamas but he paired it with $61 billion in aid for Ukraine plus another $10 billion in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. The Senate is following that approach of bundling the aid together in one package, with bipartisan support. The House GOP bill not only removes the Ukraine aid, but also attempts to take another bite out of the Inflation Reduction Act's $80 billion for increased enforcement of tax laws among noncompliant wealthy individuals and companies, plus money for the IRS's new free online tax filing service.
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