Congress’ rocky road: Israel aid OK for now

And ever since the planned Israeli sale of an airborne early warning system to China became an issue earlier this year, there have been rumblings in Congress about placing some restrictions on aid and sending a message to Israel.

Both the Clinton administration and some Congress members have expressed concern that selling advanced weaponry to China would threaten U.S. security interests. But the administration has urged against linking aid to the issue.

On Tuesday, the full Senate and a House committee passed their versions of the foreign operations bill, including the full Israel aid package -- $1.98 billion in military and $840 million in economic funds. The aid is to be distributed as a lump sum when the U.S. fiscal year starts in October.

The House Appropriations Committee voted to attach an amendment to the foreign aid bill in lieu of a reduction, urging Israel to cancel the planned Phalcon sale to China, saying members are "very disturbed" by the existing contract. The bill passed by a voice vote, but along the way, David Obey (D-Wis.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, said he would no longer support aid to Israel if the sale proceeds.

Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.), chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations, called the amendment a "copout" because it had no punitive measure. For weeks he led a campaign that threatened to cut $250 million. But he vowed to bring up the amendment again once the bill reaches the House floor.

The bill passed the Senate, by 95-4, following a withdrawn effort by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) to reduce the aid.

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