The House of Representatives is set to approve aid to the war-stricken nations of Israel and Ukraine later this week, Republican and Democratic members and staff told The Post on Monday, setting up a battle with both the U.S.-controlled Senate the Democrats as with the White House.
The Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act, proposed by Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), would provide $14.3 billion for the Jewish state’s Iron Dome missile defense system, as well as military equipment for the Israel Defense Forces.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled the Israel aid plan Monday afternoon ahead of a likely vote Thursday, announcing that the House legislation would pay for itself through reapportionment of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds that were set aside. for the IRS.
Under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the House passed legislation rescinding $72 billion provided to the IRS by the IRA.
The bill never received a vote in the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled a $14.3 billion aid plan for Israel on Monday afternoon.Getty Images
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sharply criticized Israel’s bill Monday night, calling it “impossible” compared to the IRS recovery.
“Threatening to undermine American national security unless House Republicans can help the rich and large corporations cheat on their taxes, which would increase the deficit, is the definition of backwards,” he said. “Engaging in political games that threaten Israel’s self-defense funding source (now and in the future) would set an unacceptable precedent that would call into question our commitment to one of our closest allies. “We cannot afford to jeopardize that commitment while Israel defends itself from the evil unleashed by Hamas.”
Johnson told Fox News on Sunday that the “Israel independent funding bill” was “a pressing and urgent need” as the US ally fights Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip following the September 7 attacks. October that killed more than 1,400 people, including at least 33 Americans. .
The Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act, led by Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), would provide funding for the country’s Iron Dome missile defense system and military equipment.Getty Images
The measure has garnered support from both factions of the Republican Party, and aides told The Post that most members, from the conservative House Freedom Caucus to the moderate Problem Solvers Caucus, are ready to approve it.
“As long as the standalone Israel aid bill is paid for without gimmicks, conservatives will feel good about it,” a senior Republican aide told The Post.
House Republican lawmakers are also set to pass another appropriations bill to fund Ukraine, aides told The Post, but key funding numbers and a floor vote date have yet to be announced.
Johnson told Fox News on Sunday that the “standalone Israel funding bill” was “a pressing and urgent need” as the Jewish state fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“People who are against Ukraine are a fringe group,” said one attendee. “The overwhelming majority of members of Congress on the Republican side support funding for Ukraine.”
“I prefer to see separately [packages]although I support Ukraine,” Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) told the Post, noting that he knew colleagues who would vote differently.
“I also want to see on the Democratic side how many decide not to support Israel. I think that will be enlightening,” he added.
“If the far right plays politics by helping Israel and Ukraine in times of crisis, they will only empower America’s enemies, including Iran, Russia and China,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
“If you put them all together, you don’t get a clear, clear picture of who supports what.”
House Democrats are also prepared to back funding requests from Israel and Ukraine, aides confirmed to The Post, despite pressure from some left-wing members who have advocated against providing defense aid to Israel.
“If the far right plays politics by helping Israel and Ukraine in times of crisis, it will only strengthen America’s enemies, including Iran, Russia and China,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) told the Post.
Johnson said last week that House Republicans would “split” funding for Israel from funding for Kiev to wage its war against Russia after President Biden asked Congress for a joint package.
“This is about fighting terrorism and protecting global democracy and our national security. “The United States must help our allies crush Hamas terrorists and stand up to murderous dictators.”
Johnson said last week that House Republicans would “split” funding for Israel from supporting Kiev to fight the Russian invasion after President Biden called on Congress to pass a comprehensive package.
“We can’t allow Vladimir Putin to prevail in Ukraine because I don’t think he would stop there, and it would probably encourage and empower China to maybe take action in Taiwan,” Johnson told Fox News last week.
Johnson, in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, said House Republicans were “not going to abandon” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Libkos via Getty Images
Biden’s initial funding request included $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $14 billion for immigration enforcement and $16.55 billion for other concerns, including more aid for Taiwan.
“As President Biden said when he addressed the nation from the Oval Office, Hamas and Putin want to brutally annihilate a neighboring democracy,” White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. “In fact, Russian officials met with Hamas representatives in Moscow just this week.”
“It is critical to American national security to support Israel as it defends itself against the Hamas terrorists who unleashed pure evil on October 7; and support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian brutality, carried out in part with Iranian weapons, and Russia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian children,” Bates also said. “There is strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate for both.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) resisted his party’s calls to split the funding requests and instead backed the president’s joint package.
Johnson voted to give $80 million to Israel as part of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, but rejected $300 million in aid to Ukraine (along with 116 House Republicans) which was approved separately after being stripped from the defense budget.
The new president also opposed nearly $40.1 billion in security assistance for kyiv that was approved by the House in May 2022.
Johnson told Fox News’ Sean Hannity in his first interview after becoming president that House Republicans were “not going to abandon” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but stressed the importance of the administration’s “responsibility.” the low camera.
“We have to make sure that the White House gives people some accountability for dollars,” he said.
Giménez also told The Post that during a conference call Sunday night, Johnson “was very complimentary about an article that [Rep.] Mike Garcia [R-Calif.] drawn up on Ukraine” to maintain accountability.
The proposal included setting a strategic objective for the conflict and the creation of a federal office to audit the funds, according to Giménez.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has resisted his party’s calls to split the funding requests and instead backed the president’s joint package, to which a few others were added measures for border security.
Two sources familiar with the Senate Republican conference discussions told The Post that Republican leaders in the upper chamber “have the desire and feel the responsibility to do both at the same time.”
“It’s just convenient,” one of the sources said.
It’s unclear how the Senate would handle a stand-alone Israel aid bill, with the same source calling it “a legislative obstacle course” that could involve competing bills from both chambers, followed by prolonged conference negotiation.
Last week, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Ky.) introduced a separate bill to fund Israel along with seven other Republican senators, which they hope will replace McConnell’s favored package after the House vote, according to an aide Senate Republican.
Additional reporting by Steven Nelson
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn