House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that he expects the Republican-led chamber to pass a standalone Israel aid bill this week, defying President Joe Biden's request for a broader package that includes support for Ukraine. Johnson believes that addressing the pressing and urgent need for aid to Israel should take priority at this time.
The relatively unknown Louisiana Republican, who was elected speaker last week, has announced his intention to separate measures for military assistance to both Israel and Ukraine. He firmly believes that an Israel-only bill would garner bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, allowing it to pass without any further delay.
Johnson has previously stated that House Republicans are proposing a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel, slightly more than the amount requested by the Biden administration. By focusing solely on Israel, Johnson aims to ensure swift action on the aid bill, without being sidetracked by other issues.
Aside from the Israel aid bill, another challenge facing Congress is the impending mid-November funding deadline to keep the US government operational. Johnson has informed House Republicans that he intends to seek a short-term funding measure to avoid a government shutdown, which would push broader budget negotiations into next year.
In an effort to encourage the Senate to act promptly, Johnson has suggested extending the deadline until January 15, along with the inclusion of a threat for an across-the-board spending cut of 1%. This spending cut was introduced in a debt-limit bill passed earlier this year and would serve as an incentive for the Senate to prioritize their work on the budget.
Overall, while President Biden has called for a broader aid package encompassing support for both Ukraine and Israel, House Speaker Mike Johnson is focused on ensuring immediate aid for Israel. He believes that a standalone Israel aid bill has a higher chance of gaining bipartisan support and passing swiftly through both chambers of Congress. Additionally, Johnson is working towards avoiding a government shutdown by proposing a short-term funding measure and utilizing a spending cut threat as a means to encourage timely action from the Senate.