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When the U.S. House of Representative voted 366 to 58 to approve military aid to Israel Saturday, April 20, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Arlington) voted yes. The Israel package totals $26.4 billion. It provides $13 billion to the U.S. Defense Department to replenish U.S. stocks of equipment and weapons sent to Israel’s military, support U.S. operations in the region and fund Israel’s missile defense systems and $3.6 billion for security assistance to Israel. It also includes $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and worldwide.
In a news release, Larsen stated: “Today, I voted in support of emergency funding to Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza and other vulnerable people worldwide. Six months after Hamas’s unprovoked and horrific attack on Israel, I continue to stand with the Israeli people and support Israel’s right to defend itself.
“I continue to support the Biden’s administration’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire that will allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas and increase humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
“I support the essential funding in the bill to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and other people in need worldwide. The bill also makes important investments to protect Israeli civilians from missile and drone attacks by funding Israel’s missile defense systems.
“I have heard from my constituents, and I share their frustration that Israel’s legitimate response to the Oct. 7 attacks has enveloped all of Gaza in suffering, instead of being narrowly focused on defeating Hamas.”
The House passed three bills approving $95 billion in emergency military and humanitarian aid by large, bipartisan margins. The others fund $60.84 billion for Ukraine and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. A measure passed to ban TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it. These all have been sent to the Senate as a single package.
The Senate debated on their version of the bill Tuesday, April 23. Its final vote for passage may have been that evening.
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