Republicans’ Standalone Bill to Provide Additional Funding to Israel Expected to Receive Bipartisan Support
According to newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the standalone bill proposed by Republicans to grant additional funding to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas is likely to receive widespread bipartisan support. Mr. Johnson, who was elected as the 56th House speaker, wasted no time in addressing various pressing issues, including the conflict in the Levant, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the possibility of a government shutdown.
During an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the newly elected speaker revealed that Republicans plan to pass a standalone bill specifically for funding Israel, separate from the funding for Ukraine that the Biden administration has requested.
President Joe Biden recently requested a defense spending package of nearly $106 billion to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. The package includes $14.3 billion in additional assistance to Israel and $61.4 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine. Additionally, President Biden is seeking $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine.
However, some Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the allocation of funds to Ukraine and have called for greater transparency in how the funding is being used. At least nine GOP lawmakers have advocated for separate funding for Israel, criticizing the Biden administration’s attempt to link aid to Israel with additional aid for Ukraine.
The newly-introduced Republican measure allocates the requested $14.3 billion for Israel but offsets an equal amount in IRS funding under the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden last year. This move is likely to face rejection from the Democratic-led Senate and White House.
US President Joe Biden (L) listens on as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reads a statement before their meeting in Tel Aviv on Oct. 18, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Israel Funding Bill a ‘Pressing, Urgent Need’
Despite potential challenges, Republicans remain optimistic about the bill’s bipartisan support. Mr. Johnson emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing situation in Israel and expressed his determination to separate the issue from other global matters. He stated, “I believe there’ll be bipartisan support for that and I’m going to push very hard for it.”
During his appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Mr. Johnson assured attendees that House Republicans would swiftly pass legislation to provide Israel with the necessary resources to combat the ongoing conflict. He made it clear that a ceasefire would only be possible once Hamas is no longer a threat to Israel.
Speaking to Fox News, Mr. Johnson described Israel as a “strong ally” and a “great friend” of the United States. He condemned the attacks launched by Hamas on Israeli citizens and emphasized the need to stand with Israel during this challenging time. Republican lawmakers view funding for Israel as a “pressing and urgent need.”
Mr. Johnson also addressed the looming government shutdown, emphasizing that reaching an agreement on government funding before the Nov. 17 deadline is his top priority. While a temporary relief measure was passed by the Senate to prevent a shutdown, Mr. Johnson stated that if an agreement on funding cannot be reached by mid-November, another stopgap measure may be implemented.
“If indeed we come to Nov. 17 and we’re unable to finish that because it’s detailed work and it takes some time, we’ll look at another stopgap measure,” Mr. Johnson explained. He added, ”But I think everyone will be on board with that because they understand we’re really doing this work.”
“If we run out of time on the calendar, we may need a little bit more to complete it,” the House speaker concluded.
What is the Biden administration’s request for defense spending package regarding aid to Ukraine and Israel, and how does it relate to the standalone bill proposed by Republicans?
According to newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the standalone bill proposed by Republicans to grant additional funding to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas is likely to receive widespread bipartisan support. Mr. Johnson, who was elected as the 56th House speaker, wasted no time in addressing various pressing issues, including the conflict in the Levant, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the possibility of a government shutdown.
During an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the newly elected speaker revealed that Republicans plan to pass a standalone bill specifically for funding Israel, separate from the funding for Ukraine that the Biden administration has requested.
President Joe Biden recently requested a defense spending package of nearly $106 billion to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. The package includes $14.3 billion in additional assistance to Israel and $61.4 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine. Additionally, President Biden is seeking $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine.
However, some Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the allocation of funds to Ukraine and have called for greater transparency in how the funding is being used. At least nine GOP lawmakers have advocated for separate funding for Israel, criticizing the Biden administration’s attempt to link aid to Israel with additional aid for Ukraine.
The newly-introduced Republican measure allocates the requested $14.3 billion for Israel but offsets an equal amount in IRS funding under the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden last year. This move is likely to face rejection from the Democratic-led Senate and White House.
Overall, the standalone bill proposed by Republicans to provide additional funding to Israel is expected to receive bipartisan support. However, the allocation of funds and the decision to offset funding from other sources may pose challenges in achieving its ultimate passage.
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