In a recent development, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has announced plans to introduce legislation on the House floor next week that would provide Israel with $17.6 billion in emergency funding. This move comes at a crucial time, as negotiators from the Senate and the White House are expected to release legislative text for a border security compromise, along with President Biden’s $106 billion supplemental funding request for Ukraine, humanitarian causes, and other issues.
Senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports that President Biden would require authorization from Congress to engage in war and strike Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing situation. Johnson’s decision to push for standalone Israel funding is seen as a response to the exclusion of House Republicans from the negotiations, as well as criticism that progress has been too slow in aiding Israel’s fight against Hamas.
Johnson, in a letter to Republican colleagues, expressed concerns that the Senate’s failure to move swiftly with appropriate legislation has hindered the House’s ability to consider any legislation effectively. As a result, the House plans to take the lead and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package. This follows a previous attempt by Johnson to pass a $14 billion funding bill, which was offset by reallocating funds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refused to consider the bill, accusing Johnson of attaching a “poison pill” to the Israel aid.
The Senate is now expected to hold a vote next week on its border and supplemental funding bill. Democrats previously objected to the offsets proposed in the House bill, and Johnson hopes that the Senate will no longer have excuses for delaying critical support for Israel. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on defense spending, will release the legislative text on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Republicans have been demanding strict border and immigration policy changes in exchange for supporting funds for Ukraine. A growing number of GOP lawmakers have expressed reservations about providing Ukraine with financial aid. President Biden’s supplemental funding request includes approximately $60 billion to assist Kyiv in combating Russia’s invasion. However, Johnson and several members of his conference have indicated their likely opposition to the compromise, insisting on measures outlined in H.R. 2, the House GOP border bill that Democrats have rejected.
The ongoing debate surrounding border security has also sparked disagreements within the Democratic Party. Some members, including those associated with the progressive group known as the “Squad,” have faced criticism from within their own party over their stance on Israel amid infighting over the situation in Gaza.
As the negotiations unfold, Johnson and others have called on President Biden to use his executive authority to address border security concerns. However, the White House maintains that a legislative fix is necessary, accusing House Republicans of exploiting the border issue for political gain.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer aims to hold a vote on the Senate’s package by Wednesday. The developments in Congress will continue to be closely monitored, particularly in relation to Israel’s emergency funding and the ongoing border security negotiations.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital focused on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, contributed to this article. For the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content, subscribe to our newsletter.
