
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced the introduction of a stand-alone bill to provide $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel on Saturday, a significant step in U.S. foreign aid policy. The move, as articulated in a letter to his colleagues, comes amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and underlines a firm commitment to one of America’s key allies in the increasingly unstable Middle East region.
The proposed bill, named the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, is set to be voted on this week in the House. Its introduction is a clear pivot from last year’s approach, where the House GOP included cuts to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding in a similar package. The previous bill, which passed the House but was stalled in the Senate, was criticized by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the time as a “flawed proposal.” The new legislation represents a strategic shift, removing any offsets and focusing solely on aid to Israel.
House Speaker Johnson announces he will put forth a clean stand-alone Israel aid bill | Just The News https://t.co/D5Ik2AA42M
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In his letter, Johnson expressed frustration with the Senate for not acting promptly on the critical issue of supporting Israel. He emphasized, “Given the Senate’s failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, and the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel, the House will continue to lead.”
The stand-alone bill’s introduction comes as the Senate prepares to vote on a comprehensive national security supplemental next week, which includes aid not only to Israel but also to Ukraine, Indo-Pacific allies and controversial border security policy.
This broader approach has been a point of contention, with many House Republicans, including Johnson, expressing opposition to the Senate’s comprehensive package. Johnson’s new strategy is a direct challenge to the Senate’s approach, setting up a legislative showdown with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Democrats, who have traditionally supported aid to Israel, found themselves in a difficult position with the previous bill due to the IRS cuts. The new legislation may change the dynamic, potentially garnering broader support. However, some of the more leftist Democrats are concerned about the lack of humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in the bill, which could become a sticking point.
Johnson described his new strategy by saying, “The Senate will no longer have excuses, however misguided, against swift passage of this critical support for our ally.”