The GOP-led House failed on Tuesday to pass a bill to approve a $17.6 billion Israel aid package that does not include an offset that was tucked into a similar measure the chamber approved last year.
Fourteen Republicans joined with 166 Democrats in voting against H.R. 7217, which is geared toward helping Israel respond to attacks, while 204 GOP lawmakers and 46 of their colleagues across the aisle supported it. One member, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), missed the vote as he continues to battle cancer.
The bill was considered under suspension of the rules, a mechanism that allowed leadership to limit debate and prohibit floor amendments while requiring a two-thirds majority for the legislation to prevail — a threshold that was missed by a couple dozen votes.
250-180: House defeats $17.6B Israel aid only bill. 2/3rds vote (287) was needed. 14 Republicans and 166 Democrats voted…
