After Iran's retaliatory assault against Israel, Democrats and several GOP members pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to bring the Senate-passed foreign aid supplemental plan to the floor this week.
Johnson told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that House members were putting together a fresh package. He stated, “We’re going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now.” “We're considering options and supplemental issues.”
Days after Johnson became speaker in October, the GOP-led Israel support package passed the House. The Democratic-led Senate rejected the $14.3 billion Israel aid plan with IRS cuts, and President Joe Biden promised to veto it.
The Senate enacted a $95 billion national security plan that month, including funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, but Johnson vetoed it after crushing a bipartisan border security attempt. Johnson has yet to address Ukraine aid months later, under pressure from GOP hard-liners who told him that linking it to the measure could hurt his speakership.
Schumer's assistant said Biden, Johnson, Schumer, McConnell, and Jeffries were on the call. An administration source said Biden urged Johnson to put a foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine up for a vote this week, but it's uncertain if he will.
When asked on Sunday if he is considering former President Donald Trump's notion of turning Ukraine aid into a loan, Johnson cited their Friday meeting at Mar-a-Lago and said they are “100% united on these big agenda items.”
Later Sunday night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the lower house will take “several measures to demonstrate our support of Israel and take action against Iran” next week.
As of Sunday night, no votes were recorded on Israel aid legislation. However, Johnson announced Sunday that Republicans will propose a foreign aid bill this week. He should have more details in the coming days.
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