Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday confirmed plans to take up an Israel aid bill this week – putting it on a collision course with the Biden administration, which wants a broader package that includes Ukraine funding.
Shortly after taking the reins as speaker last week, Johnson, (R-La.) called on Congress to “divide” support for Israel and Ukraine.
“We will move a stand-alone Israel funding bill this week in the House,” he said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“We believe that is a pressing and urgent need.”
President Biden has sought to pair Israeli and Ukrainian funding to raise the possibility of wrangling additional Ukraine aid through a skeptical GOP-controlled House of Representatives.
The White House unveiled an additional $106 billion package earlier this month, seeking $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $14 billion for immigration enforcement and $16.55 for other issues such as Taiwan.
Johnson previously teased plans to pursue $14.5 billion for Israel, a notch higher than what Biden is seeking.
He also wants the package to be balanced by spending cuts elsewhere.
Mike Johnson wants Congress’ help to consider aid to Israel and Ukraine separately.MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Louisiana Republican, who spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, stressed the need to get support to the alerted ally immediately.
Johnson has voted against Ukraine aid on at least two occasions, including in September, and voted against the $39.8 billion measure in May of last year.
Sill, he has supported Ukraine in its efforts to deter Russian aggressors.
“We cannot allow Vladimir Putin to win in Ukraine because I don’t believe it will stop there and it will probably encourage China to move on China. We will not abandon them,” Johnson told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week.
The new speaker stressed that he supports sending more aid to Ukraine, but wants proper oversight. ZUMAPRESS.com
The House passed a resolution last Wednesday reaffirming support for Israel in its war with Hamas, marking the first legislation to clear the lower house since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted as speaker on Oct. 3.
Johnson expressed interest in renewing the motion to vacate — a parliamentary tool of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was deployed to stage a coup against McCarthy.
“Everybody has told me that — the rules need to be changed,” Johnson, who supported McCarthy, said Sunday.
“I’m not afraid of it, because I will work openly and transparently and with every member… But the rules make it difficult for any speaker to do their job.”
Johnson has also signaled support for passing a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown on November 17.
The new speaker reaffirmed his support for Israel at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit in Los Vegas over the weekend. AP
McCarthy’s decision to take steps to prevent a shutdown last month appears to have been the catalyst for Gaetz’s push to oust him.
So far, no member has appeared to publicly threaten to oust Johnson if he uses a continuing resolution. And Johnson said he wants to fund the government through a conventional 12 appropriations bill.
“We moved them as quickly as possible and tried to meet that deadline,” he said. “If we get to November 17 and we can’t finish it, because it’s detailed work and it takes some time, we’ll see another step stop.”
The speaker also sought to allay concerns about House Republicans gripped by dysfunction and chaos.
“We work like a well-oiled machine. We passed one of the appropriations bills just a day after I took the gavel. And those are the energy and water bills. We have three more games for next week,” he said.
President Biden congratulated Mike Johnson on his elevation to the speakership last week. AP
When asked about the scandal surrounding Hunter Biden, Johnson was noncommittal about supporting the firstborn with a subpoena.
“I’m looking at that,” he replied. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, and that may be too late. We haven’t made a full decision yet.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
