Israel’s $3 billion aid package came one step closer to passing Congress earlier this month when a key Senate committee sent the foreign aid bill to the full Senate for a vote.
The House of Representatives passed a similar measure by record numbers last month.
The Senate Appropriations Committee also approved an amendment sponsored by Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for $80 million in refugee assistance to Israel.
A Lautenberg amendment also secured an additional $7 million for the Middle East Regional Cooperative Fund for joint research ventures between Israel and other Middle East states.
For the first time, the Senate Appropriations Committee “earmarked” Israel’s aid package, meaning the United States is obligated to give these funds to Israel.
Although Congress has never withheld the money after passage, earmarking funds is an important step to ensure that the aid is delivered in future years, analysts said.
As in the House, the Senate bill calls for a total of $13.6 billion in foreign aid spending, down $700 million from last year.
The bill proposes $2.1 billion in aid for Egypt and $78 million for the Palestinians for health, education, roads and other infrastructure development in Jericho and the Gaza Strip.
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