Press Releases

House Republicans Vote Against $2.4 Billion Aid to Israel

June 20, 2007

Wilmette, IL-- Dan Seals, Democratic Candidate in the 10th Congressional District, condemned Republican leadership for successfully urging its members to vote against the FY08 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. The bill included $2.4 billion for military aid and $400 million for refugee assistance to Israel.

"Democrats voted in favor of foreign aid to Israel by a vote of 210-14, and Republicans voted against foreign aid to Israel by a margin of 164-31.  We simply cannot let foreign aid or support for Israel be turned into a partisan issue. Foreign aid to Israel is an essential component of the U.S.–Israel relationship and sends a signal to friends and foes alike that U.S. support for Israel is rock-solid,” said Mr. Seals.

AIPAC strongly supported this bill, which also contained strong language condemning the Arab boycott of Israel, and several Jewish groups, including the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), strongly criticized the House Republican leadership for urging Republicans to oppose the bill. Click here to view NJDC's press release. http://www.njdc.org/njdcspeaks/detail.php?id=713

Despite Republican opposition, the House passed H.R. 2764, FY 2008 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations by a vote of 241 to 178. The bill provides $34.2 billion in discretionary spending in FY 2008, which is $3 billion over the FY 2007 bill. In addition to assistance to Israel, the bill included funding to combat HIV/AIDS, for humanitarian assistance in Darfur, to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of children in poor countries, and to support our allies on the Global War on Terror.

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