Speaker Johnson To Attempt Israel Aid Again This Week
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is pushing forward this week with a substantial aid package aimed at bolstering the defenses of Israel and Ukraine. The $95 billion supplemental package has been debated over recent weeks, and the discussion will surely ramp up after this weekend’s Iranian attacks on Israeli airspace.
The weekend’s Iranian aggression was reportedly in response to an Israeli airstrike that killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials. Johnson emphasized the importance of standing with Israel during a Sunday appearance on Fox News. “We understand the necessity of standing with Israel,” Johnson said.
The proposed aid does not stop with Israel. The package also includes significant support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russian aggression and for Taiwan, which faces its own security challenges. The Ukraine component of the package is certain to lead to intraparty conflict, as Republicans are sharply divided over continuing unaccountable aid for the Zelenskyy regime.
Speaker Mike Johnson will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week. https://t.co/ETsbY4wXdf
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 15, 2024
The White House and Senate leaders have urged swift action in response to the crisis. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed bipartisan support following discussions with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders, emphasizing that “it’s vital for the future of Ukraine, for Israel and the West.”
Despite the broad agreement on the necessity of the aid, the path forward is not without its complications. Johnson has suggested restructuring some of Ukraine’s funding as loans. He has called for policy shifts, including reassessing the U.S. stance on Liquefied Natural Gas exports and border security measures.
Johnson set the stage for his efforts this week by seeking President Donald Trump’s support during a visit to Mar-a-Lago last week. After meeting with Johnson, President Trump said he enjoys a “very good relationship” with the speaker.
As to the meeting with Trump, Johnson said, “He and I are 100% united on these big agenda items. When you talk about aid to Ukraine, he’s introduced the loan-lease concept, which is a really important one, and I think has a lot of consensus.”