In a surprising development, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham voiced his opposition to separating aid for Ukraine from funding for Israel. Graham’s statement came after listening to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee. He told reporters that he supports keeping the aid package together, as Blinken and Austin provided compelling reasons for not splitting it. Graham emphasized the importance of dealing with these conflicts collectively and with strength.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and the White House are working towards passing an aid package that supports both Ukraine and Israel. However, the new Republican speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, expressed his intention to have a separate aid package for Israel hit the House floor this week.
McConnell believes that the security interests of the United States depend on linking both conflicts, a position supported by other senior Republicans and the Biden administration. The White House threatened to veto the House’s standalone Israel aid bill in response. Nevertheless, a significant group of GOP senators argues for separating the two aid packages.
Senator Mitt Romney, a supporter of aid to Ukraine, echoed the sentiment of linking the conflicts and expressed doubt that a standalone aid package will pass both chambers of Congress. He believes that the majority of lawmakers support aid for both Ukraine and Israel combined. Romney also criticized the House’s proposal to cut funding from the Internal Revenue Service to finance the Israel aid package, pointing out that it doesn’t make sense to reduce funding for an institution that ensures tax compliance.
Despite the division within the Republican party, Senate Republicans have criticized McConnell’s efforts to tie Ukraine aid to the Israel package. Senator Rand Paul accused McConnell of undermining Speaker Johnson and asserted that this approach would not be well-received by the conservative base. Paul also backed Johnson’s plan to redirect IRS enforcement money to fund a standalone bill for Israel and claimed that McConnell is trying to harm the speaker.
Senator Rick Scott, who challenged McConnell for minority leader, agreed with the House GOP’s approach and emphasized the need to support the newly elected speaker. He suggested following the House’s lead. Freshman Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri echoed the sentiments that the issues should not be linked and that there is growing support within the conference for separating them. Senator Josh Hawley, also of Missouri, criticized McConnell’s push for including Ukraine aid in the supplemental bill, characterizing it as a mistake.
While Senate Republicans are divided, Senate Democrats are united in their opposition. Senator Schumer criticized the House bill as insulting and argued that Johnson’s inclusion of spending cuts makes it difficult to pass aid for Israel in the upper chamber. Senators Chris Murphy and Joe Manchin also expressed disapproval of the GOP’s attempt to separate the two issues.
Senator Chris Coons, a close ally of President Joe Biden, further criticized the House Republicans’ plan, arguing that it would reduce revenue in the long run. He questioned the wisdom of prioritizing aid to Israel over the federal government’s revenue.
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