Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on Sunday that he plans to introduce a standalone $14.5 billion aid bill for Israel this week, fully separated from any proposals for additional aid to Ukraine. Johnson’s proposal lays the groundwork for a possible conflict with the Biden administration and the Senate’s Democrat majority, both of which have backed a much larger plan that bundles funding for Israel, Ukraine, and a number of other foreign policy initiatives.
Appearing on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Johnson (R-LA), who was elected Speaker last week, pledged to “move a standalone Israel funding bill this week in the House.”
“We believe that that is a pressing and urgent need,” the Speaker said. “There are a lot of things going on around the world that we have to address—and we will—but right now what’s happening in Israel takes the immediate attention.”
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Johnson’s comments fall in line with his repeated calls for Congress to “bifurcate” relief funds for the two embattled nations, enabling debate on one topic at a time. However, the Biden administration’s plan for international aid runs directly contrary to the new Speaker’s proposal. Earlier this month, White House officials urged Congress to adopt a sprawling $106 billion supplemental aid package providing $61.4 billion to Ukraine, $14.3 billion to Israel, $14 billion to immigration enforcement, and another $16.55 for other issues including supplementing Taiwan security.
Despite proposing an even larger sum for Israel than what Biden initially suggested, Johnson’s plan for a standalone bill is likely to draw significant pushback from his critics across the aisle. The Biden administration has often tied funding for Ukraine’s war against Russia to other legislation given widespread opposition in the Republican-controlled Congress.
On two separate occasions, Johnson voted against additional aid for Ukraine, including a $39.8 billion measure struck down in May 2022. The Ukraine issue also became a sticking point for Republicans during last month’s budget negotiations and the subsequent ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
However, despite accusations from his opposition, Johnson has remained open to further assistance for Ukraine…provided that assistance is negotiated separately. “We can’t allow Vladimir Putin to prevail in Ukraine because I don’t believe it would stop there. It would probably encourage China to make a move on Taiwan,” Johnson told Fox News’ Sean Hannity after taking up the Speaker’s gavel. “We’re not going to abandon them.”
With House business resuming now that the vacant speakership has been filled, Johnson and his fellow members of Congress must also turn their attention to passing a full budget ahead of the continuing resolution’s November 17 deadline.
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