Funding decisions: US Congress struggles to pass Israel aid bill amid political turmoil

President Joe Biden's proposed aid package of $14.3 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas has encountered a financial hurdle. The ongoing war and political wrangling are casting a shadow over the funding.

President Biden has called upon the US Congress to approve $106 billion, with allocations for various purposes. A significant portion of this funding is dedicated to support Israel's war efforts, while another segment is designated for the war in Ukraine.

Additionally, a portion is allocated to protect the US-Mexico border against illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This substantial sum considered urgent and necessary for US national security, hinges on the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives, where the problem lies.

Support for Israel has long enjoyed bipartisan consensus in US politics, often uniting the Republican and Democratic parties across divisions.

However, the US House of Representatives has been in political limbo since the recent removal of its Speaker, making it unlikely to pass this crucial aid package until a new Speaker is elected.

While the Republican Party could theoretically elect the Speaker, as they currently hold 219 seats, just two more than the required 217, their inability to unite behind a single candidate has hindered their efforts. Three times, Republican candidate Jim Jordan failed to secure the necessary 217 votes within his party, leading to his withdrawal from the race.

As Republicans search for a consensus candidate and Speaker of the House, the promised US financial aid to Israel remains seemingly inapplicable until further notice.