Congress has made previous attempts to fund Israel, but these efforts have failed or died on three earlier occasions. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has announced that the House will make another attempt to pass a funding package for Israel this week in response to Iran’s recent attack on the Middle Eastern nation.
During an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Mr. Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing previous efforts to provide aid to Israel. He mentioned a $14 billion aid package that the House passed shortly after he became speaker, which has stalled in the Senate under Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Despite facing opposition, including a veto threat from President Joe Biden, the House also passed a separate funding bill for Israel. Mr. Johnson expressed his determination to push for funding in light of the recent attack on April 13.
House Republicans are committed to supporting Israel, and Mr. Johnson stated that they are currently working on the details of a new funding package. He also discussed the possibility of providing additional funding to Ukraine through a loan, aligning with former President Donald Trump’s proposal.
There are uncertainties surrounding the level of support for the aid bill and whether it will encompass funding for Ukraine as well. This could pose challenges for Mr. Johnson, especially as he navigates a divided caucus on the issue of funding Ukraine.
As Mr. Johnson faces other challenges, such as a potential motion to vacate issued by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), the path forward for new aid to Israel remains unclear. He may choose to pursue passage under normal House rules or opt for a suspension of the rules, which would require bipartisan support to succeed.
With the previous funding bill blocked by Democrats following President Biden’s opposition, the success of this new approach is uncertain. Nevertheless, Mr. Johnson remains determined to secure aid for Israel in the face of ongoing challenges.
Please provide a different version.
Source link
