US Speaker Johnson to Introduce Aid Bill for Israel Soon
According to US Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, plans are in place to push for war-time aid to Israel this week in response to Iran’s recent attack. However, it remains unclear whether funding for Ukraine will also be included in the package.
Political disputes in Congress have hindered American aid for both nations. Senator Johnson, a supporter of Donald Trump, prevented the passage of $95 billion in aid requested by President Biden for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan despite it receiving approval from the Senate.
In an interview with Fox’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Johnson emphasized the importance of House Republicans and the Republican Party’s commitment to standing by Israel. He revealed that they are gearing up to make another attempt this week, with the specifics of the package currently being finalized.
“We’re looking at the options on all these supplemental issues.”
Johnson is walking a knife edge on aid for Ukraine, as Trump and far-right lawmakers in the House of Representatives have grown skeptical of pouring billions of dollars into Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invading forces.
The speaker huddled with Trump Friday in Florida. On Sunday he told Fox he was considering structuring the aid to Ukraine as a loan, as Trump has suggested and which Johnson said “I think has a lot of consensus.”
Biden meanwhile participated in a call with congressional leaders on Sunday including Johnson to address the “urgent need” for the House to approve the bipartisan aid package passed by the Senate.
“On the call, the president discussed the urgent need for the House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible,” the White House said in a statement.
Several House conservatives have said they want stricter US migration policies added to any security aid package.
“I for one am prepared to help Ukraine, but I want to see us deal with the southern border,” Senator Marco Rubio told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, adding: “If the Senate were to send the House a (standalone) Israel aid bill on Monday, the House will pass it.”
