Twelve House Democrats crossed the aisle Thursday to join nearly every Republican in passing a $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel. The legislation, which faces a guaranteed veto from President Joe Biden and certain defeat in the Senate, pairs the funding with significant cuts to IRS enforcement targeting wealthy tax evaders.
The bill passed with a 226-196 vote, drawing sharp criticism from progressive members of the Democratic caucus. Analysis from the Congressional Budget Office indicates the proposed $14.3 billion reduction in IRS funding would actually decrease federal revenues by $27 billion, effectively serving as a tax break for the ultra-wealthy rather than a fiscal offset.
David Dayen of The American Prospect noted that the twelve Democrats supporting the measure—dubbed the "Tax Cheat Twelve"—received a collective $8 million in campaign backing from AIPAC and its affiliates last year. The list includes Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Jared Moskowitz, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lois Frankel, Jared Golden, Juan Vargas, Angie Craig, Darren Soto, Haley Stevens, Frederica Wilson, Don Davis, and Greg Landsman.
Opposition was spearheaded by Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee. Tlaib condemned the legislation for prioritizing weapons funding and tax breaks over humanitarian concerns, particularly as the death toll in Gaza exceeds 9,000, including nearly 4,000 children. Bush and Lee echoed these concerns, framing the vote as an abandonment of their mandate to prioritize human lives and domestic investment over the escalation of overseas conflict.
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