Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a significant shift in GOP strategy, revealing that the House will vote on a separate $17.6 billion Israel aid bill, devoid of any additional measures, in the upcoming week.
This move marks a departure from the previous GOP-backed package for Israel, which, despite securing House approval, included cuts to IRS funding, a contentious aspect that faced criticism from Democrats.
Johnson asserted that the House’s decision to pursue a “clean, standalone” Israel aid bill is a response to the Senate’s perceived failure to advance relevant legislation promptly.
Johnson Announces House Vote on ‘Clean, Standalone’ (Credits: The Mirror)
He emphasized the urgent circumstances faced by Israel, citing the perilous situation as a driving force behind the House’s proactive stance.
The upcoming vote is poised to create a potential clash between the House and the Senate, where lawmakers are gearing up to consider a national security supplemental package that encompasses Israel aid and border security policies, issues that have garnered opposition from House GOP members.
The latest development comes on the heels of the House passing a $14.3 billion Israel aid package three months ago. This initial package included an equal amount in cuts to IRS funding, aligning with the GOP’s emphasis on controlling deficit spending.
However, the move faced resistance in the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized it as a “flawed proposal.” The subsequent failure to progress in the Senate prompted the House to revisit the issue and opt for a more streamlined approach in the upcoming vote.
Republicans’ support for the inclusion of IRS cuts in the earlier Israel aid bill aimed at curbing deficit spending was met with opposition from Democrats.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the proposed cuts would contribute to an increase in the federal debt. House Republicans, led by Johnson, expressed disappointment at Democrats’ refusal to consider offsets for supporting Israel in the initial aid bill.
As the House prepares to vote on the clean Israel aid bill, the Senate is in the process of finalizing a long-anticipated national security supplemental package.
This Senate package includes aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific allies, along with provisions related to border security. The GOP’s demand for pairing aid to Ukraine with border security policies has been a focal point of negotiations surrounding the Senate’s supplemental package.
Schumer recently announced that the text for the Senate’s supplemental package would be released, with a potential procedural vote as early as Wednesday.
However, House Republicans, including Johnson, have expressed discontent with the proposed Senate deal. Johnson reiterated his stance, asserting that if the rumored provisions of the agreement hold true, it would face strong opposition in the House.
Johnson emphasized the necessity for the House to assert its priorities and address critical issues, stressing that the Senate’s failure to include the House in negotiations impedes swift consideration of relevant legislation.
While it remains uncertain if Schumer would bring the House’s Israel-only bill to the Senate floor, Johnson urged the Senate to take up the legislation promptly, removing any perceived obstacles against providing crucial support to Israel.
