Democrats give up $ 1 billion for Israeli iron dome bill to avoid closure

House Democrats will remove a provision originally included in a bill that allegedly helped bolster Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system in order to maintain federal government funding until December 3.

Democratic leaders are removing the provision from the bill, which was unveiled Tuesday morning after opposition from some progressives, according to sources familiar with the last-minute issue.

Democrats still plan to introduce the legislation to the House later Tuesday. Congress must act within days to avoid a government shutdown when current funding expires at the end of this month.

A spokesperson for the chair of the House appropriations committee Rosa DeLauroRosa DeLauro American workers need us to bring global pandemic under control Democrats pressure Biden to step up fight against hunger in the country Permanent extension of child tax credit will pay taxpayers dividends (D-Conn.) Said the Iron Dome funding “will be included in the final, bipartisan, bicameral” defense funding bill later this year.

representing Josh gottheimerJoshua (Josh) Gottheimer Democrats face full legislative base, mounting tensions Congress braces for spending fights amid threat of government shutdown Business groups aim to divide Democrats over project of expenditure law .5T PLUS (DN.J.), a prominent centrist, expressed frustration over the withdrawal of funding for the Iron Dome, but did not threaten to vote against the bill.

“The Iron Dome protects innocent civilians in Israel from terrorist attacks and some of my colleagues have now blocked its funding,” Gottheimer tweeted. “We must support our historic ally – the only democracy in the Middle East.”

The Iron Dome funding problem comes as Democratic centrists and progressives disagree over the timing and scope of President BidenJoe BidenHouse Endorses Bill to Provide Veterans with Cost of Living Adjustmentthe infrastructure program. The moderates demanded a pledge from Democratic leaders last month to hold a vote by next Monday on the $ 1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by the Senate to invest in roads, bridges and broadband initiatives.

But progressives threatened to derail that bill if the larger $ 3.5 trillion “human” infrastructure package to invest in social protection programs such as child care and extended child care benefits. Medicare is not completed by then. This bill is being considered as part of the budget reconciliation process, which will allow Democrats to bypass a GOP obstruction in the Senate.

The interim measure slated for a vote later Tuesday would keep the government funded until Dec. 3, meaning lawmakers will still have to complete work on long-term spending bills for the fiscal year.

The bill would also suspend the debt ceiling until December 2022. Republicans have pledged to oppose any move to suspend the debt ceiling in protest against the Democrats’ reconciliation bill. and argue the problem should be solved without their help, even though they say they don’t want the nation to default on its debt obligations.

The bill to maintain government funding and suspend the debt ceiling also includes $ 28.6 billion to deal with recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Ida, which caused damage in its wake. in Louisiana and on the east coast.

The move could draw support from some GOP lawmakers, but two Louisiana Republicans who sit on the House leadership – Minority Whip Steve scaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseOSHA faces big challenge with Biden vaccine mandate Overnight Healthcare – Nicki Minaj stokes vaccine uproar Republicans ask FDA for details of any White House pressure on recalls MORE be p. Mike johnsonJames (Mike) Michael JohnsonLouisiana delegation calls for additional relief funding after Ida GOP’s Banks polishes the mark with Pelosi veto Republicans divided over difficulty pushing vaccines MORE – urge their party to oppose the bill when it is introduced later Tuesday.

A GOP House leadership notice to Republican lawmakers says “Republicans will not help Democrats in their socialist tax and spending frenzy.”

His. John kennedyJohn Neely KennedyPLUS (R-La.), Meanwhile, said he would vote “probably” for the package “because my condition needs help.”

Democrats point out that they supported the debt ceiling suspension measures while the former President TrumpDonald Trump Trump shoots new GOP candidate in Ohio over Cleveland dubbed GOP political agents indicted for illegal campaign contribution by Russian national in 2016 was in power and argue that Republicans should strive to avoid default on a bipartisan basis as they have done in the past.

Mike Lillis contributed.

Updated at 2:14 p.m.