House Republicans blocked a bill to fund Israel, saying it was a ploy to pass a broader package that would also give money to Ukraine and tighten immigration rules.

The move came after the Senate, led by Democrats, proposed a US$118 billion deal that would combine aid for both countries with tough border measures.

But the deal faced opposition from Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election, and his allies, who did not want to give Joe Biden a win before the November vote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said the border and foreign aid bill was doomed in the House

A bill to give Israel US$17.6 billion for its military, backed by most lawmakers from both sides, failed to pass as it faced Biden’s veto threat and opposition from 167 Democrats.

They were unhappy that the bill seemed to sabotage a bigger deal that included money for Ukraine and border security, which was reached by a group of senators from both parties after long talks.

The bill also lost 13 Republican votes as it lacked spending cuts that they wanted for any new funding.

Johnson tried to pass a bill giving Israel US$14.3 billion, but Biden rejected it because it slashed the IRS budget.

The House Freedom Caucus, a hard-right group, accused Johnson of caving in to demands for a bigger package without spending cuts.

Biden’s budget office said the Republican bill would hurt the US border and Ukraine, and ignore the plight of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas violence.

Johnson said at a press conference Tuesday that Biden was wrong to veto aid for Israel when they needed it most.

House Democrats said the bill was a clear and cynical move to block the larger package, which links the Israel money to US$60 billion for Ukraine and US$20 billion for the border, but is stuck in Congress.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter that the Republican bill was not sincere and was introduced at the last minute without any discussion.