The House International Relations Committee by a voice vote today approved a provision in its foreign aid authorization bill to provide Israel and some 50 other countries with an additional 25 percent of their 1976 foreign aid allocation to cover the “transitional quarter” this summer. The provision was offered by Rep. William S. Broomfield (R.Mich.), the ranking Republican on the committee, which indicates Administration support for the measure.
The House committee’s vote was taken as the Senate was considering a bill which contains a similar provision for the transitional quarter which runs July 1-Sept. 30 to take into account the changeover this year from the fiscal year to Oct. 1 instead of July 1.
The House committee had previously voted to provide Israel with $2.255 billion in military and economic aid. Today’s vote means Israel will get an additional $563 million. The allocation for Egypt which was $740 million in economic aid; Jordan $77.5 million in economic assistance and $75 million in military credits; and Syria which was $90 million in economic assistance will also increase 25 percent.
The House committee today also adopted an amendment by Rep. Lester L. Wolff (D.NY) that would cut off military aid for any country that aids or harbors terrorists. A similar amendment was adopted by the Senate by a voice vote yesterday. Sen. James Abourezk (D.SD) opposed the measure saying that the Israel Air Force should be included among the terrorist groups.
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