Jewish Democrats Criticize GOP Leadership on Foreign Aid
Listed in: Israel, Other Foreign Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases
JEWISH DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CRITICIZE GOP LEADERSHIP FOR INSTRUCTING MEMBERS TO OPPOSE FOREIGN AID
WASHINGTON - Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) held a conference call with Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), and Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) to discuss the House Republican Leadership's move to instruct GOP Members to vote against the annual foreign aid appropriations bill.
Long a top priority for the pro-Israel community, the annual foreign operations appropriations bill provides $2.4 billion to Israel. Several Republican Members made isolationist arguments on the House floor during debate over the measure. A total of 164 Republicans voted against foreign aid. In a letter sent by the Republican leadership to their Members, Republicans were told: "Please advise your boss that Leadership will be voting NO on final passage of the Democrats' State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, and strongly encourage Republican Members to do the same."
"For years, the majority of Democrats compromised on the foreign aid bill because we knew that support for Israel was more important than any ideological objections we may have had with smaller provisions of the legislation," said Congressman Israel. "It's unfortunate that this year, Republican leadership encouraged a ‘no' vote on the single most important piece of legislation we consider each year concerning Israel. This resulted in over 80 percent of Republicans voting against a foreign aid bill that includes $2.4 billion in funding for Israel to defend itself. Chipping away at support for foreign aid sets a dangerous precedent."
"Providing foreign assistance to one of America's strongest allies should always come before partisan politics," said Congresswoman Berkley. "There is simply no excuse for voting against funding to aid the only democracy in the Middle East, especially from those in Congress who claim to be strong supporters of Israel."
"The Republican Leadership erred in instructing their Members to vote against foreign aid," said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "If this signals a return to isolationism on behalf of House Republicans it is counterproductive to both the United States and Israel."
