Speaker Mike Johnson revealed to Republicans on Saturday that the House will vote next week on a clean, stand-alone bill to provide billions in aid funding to Israel – even as the Senate appears poised to unveil its own border and foreign aid deal.
The new bill, dubbed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, would provide $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel, as well as funding for US forces in the region, according to Calvert’s office.
The legislation, which will be introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif.), has support from the House Republican leadership and the GOP-controlled Appropriations Committee.
In a letter to colleagues detailing the new bill and the vote obtained by The Post, Johnson (R-La.) blasted the Senate for shutting him and the House out of bipartisan negotiations on a border security deal, which is expected to be tied to foreign aid for Israel. , Ukraine and Taiwan.
“While the Senate appears poised to finally release the text of their supplemental package after months of closed-door negotiations, their leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for speedy consideration of any legislation,” Johnson wrote, adding that “The House needs to exercise its will on these issues and our priorities need to be addressed.”
Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will vote on a stand-alone Israel aid bill this week. Getty Images
Johnson continued to blast the Senate for its “failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely manner” amid the “dangerous situation Israel is currently facing” and said the House would take the lead in securing aid for the United States’ Middle Eastern allies.
“Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, stand-alone Israeli supplemental package,” he wrote.
“During the debate in the House and in many subsequent statements, Democrats made it clear that their main objection to the original House bill was balancing it. The Senate will have no more excuses, however misguided, for fast-tracking this critical support for our allies.”
The new Israel aid bill would provide $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel and funding for US forces in the region. AFP via Getty Images
Last year, the House approved $14.3 billion in aid to Israel amid its war with Hamas, which was offset by IRS spending cuts opposed by Democrats.
The speaker appeared to be pressuring Democrats to support the latest bill by excluding any offsets.
It is unclear whether the Senate will consider a stand-alone Israel aid bill. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) recently announced that he expects the text for the Senate’s additional spending bill for aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as border security measures, to arrive on Sunday, and for the upper chamber to begin vote next week.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
