The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a Republican plan to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel in its fight against Hamas, despite Democrats insisting it would not pass the Senate and the White House vowing to veto it, reports said . Reuters.

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives Photo: – / Editorial Shutterstock / Profimedia

The measure passed 226 to 196, mostly along party lines, with most Republicans supporting the bill and most Democrats opposing it.

The introduction of the bill was the first major legislative action under new Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

President Joe Biden threatened to veto it, and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the majority leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, said he would not bring the legislation up for a vote.

Biden asked Congress to approve a larger $106 billion emergency spending package that includes funds for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian aid.

Schumer said the Senate would consider a bipartisan bill that would address broader priorities.

The House bill provides billions of dollars for the Israeli military, including $4 billion for the Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems to counter short-range missile threats, as well as some transfers of equipment from U.S. warehouses.

“This is the first step in the process, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill so that we can send funds to Israel as quickly as possible,” said Kay Granger, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. Representatives during the discussion of the law.

Republicans hold a 221-212 majority in the House of Representatives, but Biden’s Democrats control the Senate 51-49. To become law, the bill must be passed by the House and Senate and signed by Biden.