Speaker Johnson reveals $17 billion Israel aid bill, says Senate 'will no longer have excuses'
He called Democrats' opposition to his initial Israel bill 'misguided'
By Elizabeth Elkind Fox News
Published February 3, 2024 2:05pm EST
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is putting legislation on the House floor next week to give Israel $17.6 billion in emergency funding.
The timing is notable given that Senate and White House negotiators are expected to release legislative text this weekend for a border security compromise in addition to President Biden's $106 billion supplemental funding request for Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian causes and other issues.
In a letter sent to Republican colleagues on Saturday, Johnson criticized the House GOP majority's exclusion from those talks and argued they were not moving fast enough to help Israel in its war against Hamas.
"While the Senate appears poised to finally release text of their supplemental package after months of behind closed doors negotiations, their leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for swift consideration of any legislation," Johnson warned.
"Given the Senate's failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, and the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel, the House will continue to lead. Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package."
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/speaker-johnson-reveals-israel-aid-bill-senate-will-no-longer-have-excuses