The situation led the White House to engage in discussions to ease tensions with prominent Michigan Democrats, including vocal critics of the president over the conflict….reports Asian Lite News
Michigan Democrats have raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s management of the Israel-Hamas conflict, cautioning that it could potentially result in reduced support within the Arab American community, potentially influencing the 2024 election outcome in a state crucial for his reelection bid.
The situation led the White House to engage in discussions to ease tensions with prominent Michigan Democrats, including vocal critics of the president over the conflict.
Abraham Aiyash, the state House’s third-ranking Democrat, noted interactions with the White House and Democratic National Committee, emphasising that prioritising humanity is crucial. Michigan holds significant importance as part of the Democratic “blue wall” reclaimed by Biden in 2020, strengthening the party’s standing in the state, especially following Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s substantial re-election victory.
Meanwhile, reaffirming his support for Israel in its ongoing ground offensive in Gaza, United States President Joe Biden has said that Washington will continue to stand with the country and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international humanitarian law.
Biden made his stand clear in a meeting with President Gabriel Boric of Chile at the White House on Thursday.
The US House on Thursday passed a bill to provide USD 14.3 billion in aid to Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas, however, it is expected to set up a clash with the Democratic-led Senate, CNN reported.
The episode is an early leadership test for newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson, according to CNN.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called the House GOP bill a “deeply flawed proposal” that the Senate will not take up.
Democrats are objecting to the absence of aid for Ukraine and have called for aid to Israel to be paired with additional security assistance for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Notably, in the Senate, there is bipartisan support for aid to Israel and further aid to Ukraine. But in the House, many Republicans are opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine, putting the two chambers at odds, CNN reported.
In an attempt to offset the cost of the USD 14.3 billion in Israel aid, the House bill would rescind USD 14.3 billion in funding for the Internal Revenue Service. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said, however, that the proposal to offset aid to Israel by cutting IRS funding would add to the deficit and result in roughly USD 26.8 billion in lost revenue over 10 years.
