(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pushed a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel, prioritizing the nation’s defense against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
The 13-page bill, spearheaded by the newly-elected speaker, marks a significant move in the Republican-led House.
NEWS: I spoke with @SpeakerJohnson in a wide-ranging interview to air tomorrow on @FoxNews in the 12pm ET hour.
We spoke about how he plans to pay for the $14.3 billion in aid to Israel by cutting IRS funding.
On whether this could drive away support from Democrats, he told… pic.twitter.com/eATW7lMfpv
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 30, 2023
Notably, the proposed aid excluded funding for Ukraine, a decision likely to spark a confrontation with Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who are pushing for Ukrainian aid despite the recent corruption scandal.
“We’re going to move a stand-alone Israel funding bill this week in the House — I know our colleagues, our Republican colleagues in the Senate, have a similar measure,” stated Johnson in an interview with Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo on Sunday.
We cannot allow the brutality and unspeakable evil that is happening against Israel right now to continue. We’re going to stand with our friends. pic.twitter.com/LFucFkoDm1
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 29, 2023
“There are lots of things going on around the world that we have to address, and we will,” Johnson added. “But right now, what’s happening in Israel takes the immediate attention, and I think we’ve got to separate that and get it through.”
However, the funding’s source has sparked controversy, as House Republicans plan to withdraw funds from the IRS, which has been under scrutiny in recent months due to allegations of politicization.
Hey if $14.3 billion for Israel aid is taken out of the IRS budget, I’m in favor of that https://t.co/SrEQaL2Z95
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 30, 2023
In response to the bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed strong reservations, calling it dead on arrival. The Senate Democrat also criticized that the bill diverts funds from the contentious Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
“We believe, our Democratic Caucus, we should be doing all of it together: Israel, Ukraine, South Pacific, etc. And obviously a pay-for like that makes it much harder to pass,” Schumer said, according to Politico.
Echoing the sentiment, McConnell called for a more comprehensive aid package that includes support for Ukraine. McConnell announced his intent to address the legislation during a press conference on Tuesday.
