Larson Opposes Unprecedented Republican Scheme Holding Up Israel Aid to Protect Wealthy Tax Cheats

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted against H.R. 6126, Speaker Johnson’s bill to tie security aid to Israel to a Republican plan that would let wealthy tax cheats and corporations off the hook. 

“It is unprecedented to hold up emergency aid to an ally in exchange for hyper-partisan demands – in this case shielding the ultra-wealthy from paying the taxes that they owe,” said Larson. “I voted against this legislation because it fails to meet Israel’s security and humanitarian needs and balloons the deficit so wealthy tax cheats can be let off the hook. Rather than passing conditional bills, which has never been the case with Israel, Congress should be acting swiftly to meet the needs of the American people and our allies abroad. With 16 days to go before government shuts down, it is time for Speaker Johnson to stop holding up government funding to enact unpopular cuts that hurt everyday Americans and end his partisan extortion scheme to condition aid to Israel. Congress must act to adopt the President’s request for security assistance to Israel and Ukraine, support for Taiwan, humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and resources to address our nation’s border security.” 

Yesterday, Larson announced his opposition to this legislation, which unprecedentedly conditions security aid to Israel and fails to provide any aid to Ukraine or humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates H.R. 6126 would increase the deficit by $27 billion by allowing taxes owed by the ultra-wealthy to go uncollected.