On Saturday, October 28, 2023, in Las Vegas, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, addresses the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership gathering.
Republicans in the House proposed a plan on Monday to reduce funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and use the money to give $14.3 billion in aid to Israel. This idea has sparked a dispute with Senate Democrats.
One of the first significant legislative initiatives from newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, who took office last week, is this plan.
Prior to taking office, Johnson opposed providing aid to Ukraine. He stated that he intended to keep aid for Israel and Ukraine separate, even in light of Joe Biden’s desire for a $106 billion package that would cover border security as well as both nations.
Johnson stated that he desired greater control over the funds supplied to Ukraine, a country under Russian attack.
Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, expressed optimism on Monday that the House would approve more funding for the country’s armed forces.
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Kuleba stated on Ukrainian national television, “We have every reason to believe that there are votes in the US House of Representatives for the bill providing Ukraine with additional support.”
He said that he was aware of the “considerable political resistance” to the bill and that it would be “sinful” for US senators to put their constituents’ interests ahead of their own.
Johnson stated on Fox News last week that he intended to “bifurcate” the cash going to Israel and Ukraine, saying that Israel is a different issue.
Johnson stated that following Hamas’ attack on October 7, which claimed over 1,400 lives and left over 200 hostages, bolstering support for Israel ought to be the top priority for US national security.
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Democrats have expressed their displeasure with Republicans for obstructing Congress’s ability to support Israel by introducing a partisan bill. Karine Jean-Pierre, the communications secretary for the White House, responded by denouncing Republicans for “politicizing national security” and declaring their bill unworkable. The plan would need to be approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in order to become law.
Rosa DeLauro, the top Democratic member of the House appropriations committee, said in a statement that “House Republicans are setting a dangerous precedent by suggesting that protecting national security or responding to natural disasters is contingent upon cuts to other programs.”
The Republican-sponsored Israel bill is set for scrutiny by the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.
