Aid to Israel passes House

The House of Representatives passed the foreign aid bill Thursday, which includes $2.22 billion in security aid to Israel.

The 2010 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill was approved by a vote of 318-106, with 97 of the no votes coming from Republicans (more than half of the GOP caucus.)

When the $2.22 billion in Israel aid is combined with $555 million that was passed in an earlier supplemental funding bill, that makes a total of $2.775 billion in military aid for Israel, in line with the second year of the 10-year, $30 billion memorandum of understanding between the United States and the Jewish state.

The bill also provides $500.4 million to the Palestinian Authority, which includes $400.4 million in economic assistance to the West Bank and Gaza and$100 million to help train Palesitnian security forces.

Aid for Egypt and Jordan stayed at the same level as the previous year. Egypt received $1.3 billion in defense assistance and $250 million for its economy; Jordan gets $300 million in defense assistance  as well as $363 million in economic assistance. The bill also would keep the U.S. Import-Expert bank from guaranteeing companies that have significant stakes in Iran’s energy sector.

"AIPAC strongly applauds the House for passing the annual foreign aid bill," said AIPAC President David Victor.  "U.S. aid to Israel is critical to keeping our democratic ally, Israel, safe and strong and reaffirms our nation’s deep commitment to our friends in Israel."

"This year’s package holds heightened significance with the United States, the region and Israel facing renewed challenges from Iran’s drive to dominate the Middle East, acquire nuclear weapons and its support for Islamic terrorist movements, including Hizballah and Hamas," Victor said. "Congress’ support for this year’s aid package sends the strong, unambiguous, message that the United States stands firmly behind Israel, and underscores the strength of the U.S.-Israel bond."

(By the way, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) voted for the bill. Some of her constituents, as I wrote about last week, were upset that she said last week she wanted to "read the bill" before declaring she would vote for it.)

The full press release from AIPAC is after the jump:[[READMORE]]

AIPAC APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF FOREIGN AID BILL

Congress Seeks Boosts in U.S. Aid to Israel for 2010 to $2.775 Billion

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) applauds the House of Representatives for passing the annual foreign aid bill, which provides $2.22 billion in critical U.S security assistance to Israel, bringing U.S. aid to Israel for FY2010 to $2.775 billion.

When combined with $555 million in assistance included in a recently passed supplemental funding bill, the foreign aid measure, passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 318-106, with 8 members not voting, fully funds the administration’s request of $2.775 billion for Israel, in line with the second year of the 10-year, $30 billion U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding.

"AIPAC strongly applauds the House for passing the annual foreign aid bill," said AIPAC President David Victor.  "U.S. aid to Israel is critical to keeping our democratic ally, Israel, safe and strong and reaffirms our nation’s deep commitment to our friends in Israel."

"This year’s package holds heightened significance with the United States, the region and Israel facing renewed challenges from Iran’s drive to dominate the Middle East, acquire nuclear weapons and its support for Islamic terrorist movements, including Hizballah and Hamas," Victor said. "Congress’ support for this year’s aid package sends the strong, unambiguous, message that the United States stands firmly behind Israel, and underscores the strength of the U.S.-Israel bond."

The foreign aid package is included in the Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill, which fully funds aid to Israel and includes other key provisions. The measure now awaits full consideration by the Senate.

AIPAC applauds the leadership of House State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), House State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX), House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), for their work in crafting the bill and ensuring its bipartisan support.

Aid to Israel is not only a critical investment in U.S. national security, helping ensure the qualitative military edge of our democratic ally in the region. It is also a direct investment in our economy, as nearly 75% of the funds are spent back here at home, creating American jobs and bolstering our economy.

The bill also provides $500.4 million to the Palestinian Authority, while ensuring that no U.S. tax payer money can go to a Palestinian unity government unless all ministers in that government publicly accept the three Quartet conditions—recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements. The bill also maintains all current restrictions on aid to the West Bank and Gaza.

On Iran, the bill prohibits the U.S. Export-Import Bank from using funds to guarantee, insure or extend credit for companies that supply Iran with refined petroleum resources. The legislation also requires the State Department to report on the status of multilateral and bilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran and on the administration’s diplomatic efforts with Iran regarding its illicit nuclear program.

In addition, the House voted to provide Egypt and Jordan with $1.29 billion and $513 million, respectively.