The GOP-led House is moving forward with aid to Israel and setting aside the aid Biden requested for Ukraine
By Nicole Gaudiano
The White House and Democratic-led Senate are on a collision course with the Republican-controlled House over providing additional aid to Ukraine as the country continues to fend off a Russian invasion.
House Republicans on Monday introduced stand-alone legislation to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel for its war against Hamas, following the Palestinian militant group’s deadly assault on the Jewish state on Oct. 7.
But the package omits the emergency aid that President Joe Biden requested for Ukraine, which the White House and Senate leaders — both Democratic and Republican – say is critical to sustaining the country’s fight against Russian aggression. The bill also calls for offsetting the spending with cuts to funding for the Internal Revenue Service, a move Democrats oppose.
The legislation tees up the first major clash between the new House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House and Democrats as he aligns with far-right Republicans and former President Donald Trump, who have turned against further aid for Ukraine. But it also puts Johnson at odds with his counterpart in the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
“Right now, loud voices on both sides of the aisle are suggesting that American leadership isn’t worth the cost,” McConnell said Monday at the University of Louisville, while introducing Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova. “Some say our support for Ukraine comes at the expense of more important priorities. But as I’ve said every time I get the chance, this is a false choice.”
Asked about Biden’s supplemental funding request, Johnson said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures that aid to Israel is an “urgent and pressing need.”
“There are lots of things going on around the world that we have to address and we will,” he said. “But right now, what's happening in Israel takes the immediate attention, and I think we've got to separate that and get it through.”
- Senate Assembles Package on Ukraine Aid as House Remains Paralyzed
- Senators Worry as House Ties Itself in Knots Over Ukraine Aid
- Republicans Are ‘Politicizing’ National Security With Israel Aid Bill, White House Says
- House, Senate Rift Over Ukraine War Funding Intensifies
- New House Speaker Mike Johnson Meets With Biden, Attends White House Briefing on Ukraine, Israel Aid
- House Leaders Say Ukraine Aid Will Pass, Eventually
The White House on Monday reiterated its call for a combined $105 billion package, with $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel for missile and defense support and $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. The request also includes funding for border security.
“Making sure both Israel and also Ukraine succeed in their fights for democracy, against terrorism and tyranny – it is vital, it is vital to America’s own national security,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday.
She followed up with a statement saying that House Republicans are “politicizing” national security by demanding IRS cuts as an offset, which would also be a break from normal.
“Threatening to undermine American national security unless House Republicans can help the wealthy and big corporations cheat on their taxes—which would increase the deficit—is the definition of backwards,” she said.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will make the case for Biden’s national security request during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, in a Senate floor speech on Monday, called for passing Biden’s supplemental funding request as soon as possible, calling it an “unavoidable moment of truth” for America.
House Republicans’ legislation would be paid for by rescinding the same amount of funding for the IRS. While the move is a priority for House conservatives, it’s a nonstarter for Democrats.
Johnson, in his interview with Fox News on Sunday, predicted bipartisan support for the bill. He stressed the need to move quickly and said he thinks it will pass the House this week.
“My intention is not to use this for any partisan political gamesmanship,” he said. “This is a very serious matter.”
McConnell on Monday also called for “swift and decisive action” – but for both Israel and Ukraine.
“Enemies abroad will be watching closely and waiting for America to falter,” McConnell said. “Only our concrete and credible support can deter our adversaries in the future and restore security.”