Scott Slams House GOP for Trying to Leverage Israel Aid With A Tax Cut for the Wealthy, Failing to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 6126 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024:

“I am committed to standing with Israel in their war against Hamas and funding humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. However, I could not support this supplemental funding bill, as it did not include any of the funding President Biden requested to respond to humanitarian needs in Gaza and around the world. Furthermore, House Republicans are trying to leverage support for Israel into an opportunity to dismantle provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act that ensured wealthy tax cheats pay taxes they owe. Ostensibly, House Republicans included this provision to offset the cost of the aid in this bill. However, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office determined that this partisan maneuver would actually increase the deficit by $12.5 billion, because it will significantly reduce revenues. Emergency spending is intended to respond to urgent needs. Holding up emergency funds to have policy debates over revenue and spending cuts will endanger our ability to respond to future emergencies in a timely manner. Congress has responded to national security emergencies without conditions in the past and we must do so now.

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