House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced on Sunday that efforts to secure military aid for Israel would be reinitiated following the major drone attack by Iran on Saturday.
Israel threatened “offensive” action in addition its defensive measures, but so far has continued to deliberate over its response.
As Valuetainment previously reported, Iran launched a swarm of suicide drones, followed by a barrage of missiles, towards Israel in retaliation for a bombing at the Iranian embassy in Syria that eliminated several high-profile members of Iran’s military. The single-night counteroffensive is estimated to have cost Israel over $1 billion, according to former Israeli military financial adviser Brig. Gen. Reem Aminoach, who spoke to Ynet News.
“If we’re talking about ballistic missiles that need to be brought down with an Arrow system, cruise missiles that need to be brought down with other missiles, and UAVs, which we actually bring down mainly with airplanes—then add up the costs—$3.5 million for an Arrow missile, $1 million for a David’s Sling, such and such costs for airplanes. An order of magnitude of 4-5 billion shekels,” he said.
On Saturday, President Joe Biden said that the combined defensive forces of the United States and Israel successfully took down “nearly all” the missiles and drones launched at the Jewish state by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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In a statement issued after a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” condemning the attacks by Iran “and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.”
Biden later clarified on Sunday that the US will not participate in any Israeli counteroffensives against Iran. According to White House National Security spokesman John Kirby, the US remains committed to Israel, but is unwilling to provoke direct conflict with Iran.
The situation raises questions about whether the proposed aid will also encompass assistance for Ukraine and Taiwan, components deemed critical by many Democrats for the package’s legislative success. In light of this, the New Democrat Coalition Congressional caucus said “Speaker Johnson must promptly allow a vote on the bipartisan national security package approved by the Senate two months earlier.”
President Joe Biden engaged in discussions on Sunday afternoon with key political leaders, including Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), to discuss “the urgent need for the House to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible,” according to the White House.
During his appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Johnson reflected on the GOP’s unsuccessful attempts to forward aid to Israel and expressed determination to revisit the issue. “The details of that package are being put together now. We’re looking at the options and all the supplemental issues,” he added. However, when questioned about including Ukraine in the aid package, Johnson confirmed intentions to assemble and forward a proposal to the Senate but did not specify its inclusion with the Israel aid or the timing of a vote.
Johnson faces internal challenges, notably from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has threatened to motion for his removal as speaker should he proceed with the Ukraine aid vote. Johnson dismissed these tactics as “a distraction” and counterproductive to party unity on Fox News.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics and business for VT and a regular guest on The Unusual Suspects. Follow Shane’s work here.
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