In response to Iran’s unprecedented retaliatory strikes on Israel, House Republicans have prepared a package of measures that would demonstrate their support for Israel while also addressing Iran. However, the precise way forward for aid to Israel is uncertain due to the fact that Congress is divided on the matter.
After the attack, Democrats wanted Speaker Mike Johnson to bring up a foreign aid package that the Senate had already approved, which would have helped both Israel and Ukraine. However, conservatives have warned Johnson not to include money for Ukraine in any aid package for Israel, and the Republican from Louisiana is also facing the possibility of being ousted from his leadership position.
Johnson chose not to address Monday’s questions from HEADLINESFOREVER regarding Congress’s response to Iran’s strike, particularly if he plans to combine funds for Israel and Ukraine.
The Republican-led House is planning to take up a number of anti-Iran and pro-Israel measures soon. One of these is a resolution denouncing Iran’s strike and reiterating the congressional support for Israel’s right to respond to Iranian aggression.
Johnson has stated that he will bring a bill to the floor on aid to Israel, but that the specifics are still being worked out. Republican sources have informed us that the House GOP Conference will convene on Monday night to deliberate about the current Iran-Israel crisis and their future legislative agenda.
“The need of standing with Israel is understood by the Republican Party and the Republicans in the House. The details of that package are still being finalized, and we will attempt again this week. Johnson told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo over the weekend that they are considering all of the possibilities including these additional matters.
In a recent letter to colleagues, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the urgent need to adopt the foreign aid package that the Senate had previously approved.
The tragic events that unfolded over the weekend in Eastern Europe and the Middle East demonstrate the critical necessity for prompt action by Congress. Jeffries emphasized the urgency of immediately addressing the Senate-passed, comprehensive national security package, which has bipartisan support.
The House of Representatives approved a measure in November to grant $14.3 billion in aid to Israel; however, Democrats raised objections since the measure would slash money for the Internal Revenue Service and did not incorporate aid to Ukraine.
In February, the Senate approved a foreign aid bill with a total of $95.3 billion, including funding for Israel, Ukraine, and other top objectives.
Several Republican members of the House are against providing additional aid to Ukraine. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is opposed providing more aid to Ukraine, has filed a motion to remove Johnson from his position as speaker, posing the greatest challenge to his leadership that he has faced thus far.
On Fox News, Johnson criticized Greene’s move to vacate as a “distraction” during their discussion.
I’d rather not deal with that. We are going to lose the republic unless we increase our House majority, hold onto it, win the Senate, and restore President Trump to the Oval Office, he said, describing Marjorie’s actions with the motion to vacate as detrimental to our party and our mission to rescue the nation.