US Congressional leaders from both parties have swiftly condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel this past Saturday. However, there is a divide on how to proceed with additional funding for Israel in the aftermath of the attacks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced plans to push for a vote on additional aid for Israel. While he did not provide specific details, he faces a delicate balancing act with conservatives regarding the potential inclusion of Ukraine funding.
Johnson stated, 'The House Republicans and the Republican Party recognize the importance of standing in solidarity with Israel. We will be making another attempt this week, and the specifics of the aid package are currently being formulated. We are exploring various options and considering all supplemental issues.'
Despite the urgency to support Israel, some hardline conservatives are cautioning Johnson against linking Ukraine funding to any aid package for Israel. This highlights the conflicting pressures the speaker is under as he navigates crucial decisions following Iran's assault on Israel.
One GOP representative, Warren Davidson, emphasized on social media, 'Congress should be unequivocal: neither Iran's actions nor Israel's actions warrant a vote on the Ukraine omnibus that the Senate is proposing.'
The mounting pressure from Johnson's conservative faction coincides with bipartisan appeals, including from GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, to address the Senate-approved foreign aid package. This package includes allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with proponents arguing that this is the most expeditious way to provide assistance to Israel.
