Following Iran’s attack on Israel, Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans for the House to vote on aid for both Israel and Ukraine in the coming days. Johnson reiterated the Republican Party’s stance on supporting Israel and noted that aid packages are being considered to provide assistance to both countries. The upcoming legislation will address the need for aid to Ukraine amidst ongoing congressional debates and negotiations over U.S. funding for these nations.
Despite previous reluctance to take up a $95 billion aid package proposed by the Senate, Johnson is now under pressure to act swiftly in response to recent attacks on Israel. He has been working to structure a foreign aid package that can garner bipartisan support while addressing concerns from both Republicans and Democrats. Johnson met with former President Donald Trump to discuss aid conditions, with ideas such as providing loans rather than outright grants receiving consideration.
In light of escalating tensions in Israel and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Johnson is facing increased pressure to move forward with aid packages for both countries. While he has not confirmed the inclusion of aid for Ukraine in the legislation to be presented this week, he expressed confidence that proposals for Ukraine aid enjoy broad support among House Republicans. Johnson emphasized the need for consensus and noted that efforts are being made to finalize the aid package for submission to the Senate.
Prior to the recent attacks in Israel, Johnson had considered bringing up the Senate-passed $95 billion spending package for Ukraine and Israel, along with a second bill containing policies favored by conservative Republicans. This plan aimed to ease opposition within the party and garner support for the aid packages. Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized the interconnected nature of the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing both crises.
McCaul expressed hope that the House would address the conflicts together in a broad national security bill, citing a commitment from Johnson to bring such a bill to the floor for a vote. McCaul’s preference is for the legislation to move forward promptly this week, highlighting the urgency of providing aid and support to both countries. As efforts continue to finalize the aid packages and address specific concerns from lawmakers, the focus remains on finding a solution that can garner bipartisan support and effectively meet the needs of Israel and Ukraine in the face of escalating conflict.
