Speaker Johnson Defends Israel Aid Package Amid Senate, White House Criticism

The Epoch Times Header

‘We’re trying to change how Washington works,’ he said.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Nov. 5 defended the $14 billion Israel aid package passed by the House last week amid criticism from the Senate and White House.

Mr. Johnson’s proposal would allocate around $14 billion in aid to Israel, paid for by making an equal cut to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding—a proposal that has been controversial, particularly among Democrats.

Last week, in a mostly party-line vote with a handful of defections on both sides, the House agreed in a 226–196 vote to pass Mr. Johnson’s bill. Two Republicans—Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who object to sending any foreign aid—voted against the bill. On the other side of the aisle, twelve Democrats broke ranks to support the package.

But with its passage through the House, the package will next need to make headway in the Senate, where it faces much tougher odds.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the Senate won’t take up the bill, which he called “deeply flawed.” Elsewhere, he’s called the proposal “not serious.”

Meanwhile President Joe Biden has vowed that he’ll veto any Congress-passed package that doesn’t also provide funding for Ukraine.

Last week, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby reiterated this position, saying, “The president would veto an only-Israel bill. I think we’ve made that pretty clear.”

Amid these hurdles, Mr. Johnson on Nov. 5 took to Fox News Sunday to defend his legislative proposal.

Anchor Shannon Bream cited Mr. Schumer’s comments on the proposal, as well as reports that Mr. Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) were divided on the issue.

“Democrat and Republican leaders over in the Senate say there’s no way this standalone measure gets anywhere. The White House has said it would veto it anyway,” Ms. Bream said. “So with time of the essence, the urgency here, why waste time on a measure that has almost zero chance of actually aiding the Israeli people?”

Mr. Johnson replied, “It’s really surprising to hear Senator Schumer say that it’s not a serious proposal. It’s exactly what was requested, $14.5 billion.”

By Joseph Lord

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

DOGE and Musk Recover Deleted Computer Files

Elon Musk and his “Geek Squad” discovered an entire terabyte of data was deleted from government servers from the office of the “Institute of Peace”.

A Simple Question

What is a woman? Anyone with an IQ above room temperature can answer the question. Everyone, that is, except Democrats.

Democrats Tesla Takedown is a Proven Astro Turf Movement

Elon Musk and other journalistic leaders like Joe Rogan have been asking the critical question, “Who is behind the organization of these Tesla protests?”

Can Ramaphosa and Trump Come to Terms?

Whether South Africa can quell the hostility emanating from Washington, without compromising on its national priorities, is a formidable test for a country

Maddened Europe

Viable prospects for peaceful settlement of conflict between Moscow and Kyiv exist, but Europe obsesses over threat of incursion onto European territory.

News

US Immigration Services Drops 3rd Gender Option

US immigration services agency officially updated policy to recognize only two biological sexes—male and female—for all immigration-related doc and benefit requests.

Transgender Covenant School Killer Planned Attack for Years, Final Police Report Says

Transgender shooter in mass killing at Christian school in Nashville, TN was an alumnus motivated by a quest for notoriety, final police report concludes.

Supreme Court Reviews South Carolina’s Medicaid Funding Block on Planned Parenthood

U.S. Supreme Court weighed whether South Carolina can stop abortion provider Planned Parenthood from taking part in state’s Medicaid program.

Africa at Crossroads After $13 Billion US Aid Cut, Say Analysts

African countries reacted with shock when the U.S. government recently cut $13 billion in financial assistance.

Trump Admin Ordered to Restore Legal Aid for Unaccompanied Minors

Judge in CA ordered Trump admin to restore funding for nonprofits providing legal services to unaccompanied illegal immigrant children who entered US.

Val Kilmer, Star of ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman,’ Dies at 65

Actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in movies “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” and “Batman Forever,” died on April 1 at age 65, his daughter confirmed.

Princeton Says Trump Administration Has Suspended Dozens of Research Grants

Trump admin has suspended several dozen federally funded research grants to Princeton University as part of its investigation into campus anti-Semitism.

How Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Are Set to Reshape Global Trade

President Donald Trump is set to announce reciprocal tariffs for all nations starting April 2, the date he has dubbed “Liberation Day.”
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central