Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday confirmed plans to take up an Israel aid bill this week, putting him on a collision course with the Biden administration, which wants a broader package. including financing for Ukraine.
Shortly after taking the reins as speaker last week, Johnson (R-La.) called on Congress to “bifurcate” Israeli and Ukrainian support.
“We’re going to introduce a standalone Israel funding bill this week in the House,” he said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“We believe it is a pressing and urgent need.”
President Biden had sought to match funding for Israel and Ukraine to increase the odds of getting additional aid to Ukraine through a skeptical GOP-controlled House of Representatives.
The White House released a sprawling $106 billion supplemental package earlier this month, seeking $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $14 billion for U.S. immigration law and $16.55 for other issues such as Taiwan.
Johnson has previously hinted at plans to find $14.5 billion for Israel, a level higher than what Biden has sought.
He also wanted that package to be offset by spending cuts elsewhere.
Mike Johnson wants Congress 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 quickly rally support for the war-torn ally.
Johnson voted against aid to Ukraine on at least two occasions, including in September, and voted against a $39.8 billion measure in May last year.
Still, he has supported Ukraine in its attempt to repel the Russian invaders.
“We cannot allow Vladimir Putin to prevail in Ukraine because I don’t think he will stop there and it would probably encourage China to take action against China. We’re not going to abandon them,” Johnson told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week.
The new president insisted he supports sending more aid to Ukraine but wants proper oversight. ZUMAPRESS.com
The House passed a resolution last Wednesday affirming support for Israel in its war against Hamas, the first legislation passed in the House since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted as speaker on Oct. 3.
Johnson expressed interest in reforming the override motion, the parliamentary tool that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) deployed to stage a coup against McCarthy.
“Everyone has told me that, that rule has to change,” Johnson, who endorsed McCarthy, said Sunday.
“I am not afraid, because I am going to work openly, transparently and with all members… But the rule makes it difficult for any speaker to do his job.”
Johnson has also expressed his support for passing a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown on November 17.
The new president affirmed his support for Israel at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit in Las Vegas over the weekend. AP
McCarthy’s decision to take the interim measure to avoid a shutdown last month appears to have been the catalyst for Gaetz’s push to oust him.
So far, no member appears to publicly threaten to remove Johnson if he employs a continuing resolution. And Johnson said he wants to fund the government through the 12 conventional appropriations bills.
“We are moving them as quickly as possible and trying to meet that deadline,” he said. “If indeed we reach November 17 and cannot finish it, because it is detailed work and takes some time, we will consider another interim measure.”
The speaker also sought to allay concerns that House Republicans are mired in dysfunction and chaos.
“We are working like a well-oiled machine. We passed one of the appropriations bills just one day after I took the gavel. And that was the energy and water bill. We have three more tees for next week,” she continued.
President Biden congratulated Mike Johnson on his elevation to the presidency last week. AP
When asked about the scandal that engulfed Hunter Biden, Johnson did not commit to supporting serving a subpoena to the first son.
“I’m looking at that,” he responded. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, and they may be long overdue. “We haven’t made a full decision yet.”
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