Speaker Mike Johnson told Republicans on Saturday that the House has no plans to provide billions of dollars in financial aid to Israel, even as the Senate appears set to unveil its own border and foreign aid deal. The government announced that it plans to vote on a stand-alone bill next week.
The new bill, called the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, would provide $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel, as well as funding for U.S. forces in the region. According to Calvert’s office.
The bill, slated to be introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), has the support of House Republican leadership and the Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee.
In a letter to colleagues obtained by the Post detailing the new bill and his votes, Mr. Johnson (R-Louisiana) removed himself and the House from the expected conclusion of bipartisan negotiations on a border security deal. He accused the Senate of shutting him out. For foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
“The Senate appears poised to finally release the text of a supplemental package after months of closed-door negotiations, but Senate leadership’s exclusion from the House of Representatives leaves them unable to quickly consider any legislation. “The House of Commons needs to exercise its will on these issues and must address its priorities,” Johnson said in the letter.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to grill the Senate for its “failure to pass appropriate legislation in a timely manner” amid the “dangerous situation currently facing Israel” and the House of Representatives to ensure support for America’s Middle East allies. He said he would take the lead in this regard.
“Next week, we will take up and pass an additional package for a clean, independent Israel,” he wrote.
“During debate in the House and in a number of subsequent statements, Democrats made it clear that their primary objection to the original House bill was its offset. There will no longer be any excuses for the swift passage of this critical aid to our allies.”
Last year, the House approved $14.3 billion in aid to Israel amid its war with Hamas, offset by spending cuts to the Internal Revenue Service that Democrats opposed.
The speaker appears to be increasing pressure on Democrats to support the latest bill by eliminating all countervailing options.
It is unclear whether the Senate will consider a standalone Israel aid bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently predicted that language for the Senate’s supplemental spending bill on aid to Ukraine and Israel and border security measures would arrive by Sunday, with a vote in the Senate starting next week. It was announced that .
