The U.S. House of Representatives will consider aid to Israel and Ukraine as separate legislation this week, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday, more than two months after the Senate passed a bill merging the two bills.
Johnson left a House Republican meeting on Monday night saying the narrowly divided chamber would take up four bills in total, which also cover aid to Taiwan, U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific and U.S. national security priorities.
“We know the world is watching our response,” Johnson told reporters. “They are watching whether the United States will defend its allies and our interests around the world. We will.”
U.S. aid has been delayed because of Johnson’s reluctance to consider a $95 billion bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in February that included $14 billion for Israel and $60 billion for Ukraine.
It also includes billions of dollars to strengthen allies in the Indo-Pacific, where China has become more assertive, and international humanitarian aid.
Johnson said the new House bill provides roughly the same amount of foreign aid as the Senate bill, but includes some differences, including some aid in the form of loans.
Republicans aim to release legislative text as early as Tuesday morning, but there will be a 72-hour review period before a vote. Johnson said a vote on passage could take place later on Friday.
The push to pass the aid has taken on added urgency after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel over the weekend despite strong opposition from a closely divided Congress.
Three of the four bills proposed by Johnson would cover Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. The makeup of the fourth person is unclear.
Supporters insist that the broad foreign aid measure, which has 70% support in the Senate, will have similar support in the House. However, Johnson gave various reasons for the delay, including the need to focus taxpayer dollars on domestic issues and a reluctance to take up the Senate measure without more information.
Johnson also faces threats from far-right Republicans who will oust him as speaker if he allows Ukraine aid to go ahead. Many on the right, especially those close to former President Donald Trump, have been skeptical of assisting Kyiv in its fight against Russia and have strongly opposed adding billions of dollars to Ukraine.
The House Freedom Caucus – a hardline Republican group of about three dozen members – issued a statement on Monday calling for aid to Israel but not Ukraine and rejecting any suggestion that attacks on Israel should help ease the path , calling it a “bogus” move to provide more funds to Kyiv.
Rep. Andy Biggs, a member of the Freedom Caucus, told reporters he liked the idea of separate bills but had to see them before committing to a vote.
Defense Industry Watch
This issue has received close attention from the industry. If additional funding is passed, U.S. defense contractors could be awarded huge contracts to supply equipment to Ukraine and other U.S. partners. Supporters of the aid stressed that approving the Ukraine bill would create many American jobs.
The White House has been urging Johnson to allow the vote, as have Senate Republicans and Democrats. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor: “If House Republicans bring the Senate supplement (spending bill) up for consideration, I believe it will pass today and reach the president’s desk tonight.” table, Israel will receive the assistance it needs by tomorrow.”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told other lawmakers: “Now is also the time for Congress to provide the urgent investments our industrial base, our military and our partners need to address and exceed the growing growth we face. interrelated threats.”
House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter to his caucus on Monday outlining the need to support Ukraine and Israel.
“Last weekend’s serious events in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to take immediate action,” Jeffries wrote. “We must immediately consider the bipartisan, comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate.”
Ukraine renewed its call on Monday for allies to take “extraordinary and bold steps” to provide air defense systems to help defend against Russian air strikes targeting its energy systems in recent weeks.
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