WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In an effort to optimize funding for Israel, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that a stand-alone bill will be advanced this week, despite President Joe Biden’s push for a combined aid package of $106 billion for both Israel and Ukraine. Johnson expressed confidence that the measure will garner bipartisan support in the House, and expects Republicans in the Senate to support a similar bill.
The House of Representatives, currently under Republican control, is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday after a recess.
Johnson emphasized the immediate attention required for the situation in Israel, stating, “There are lots of things going on around the world that we have to address and we will. But right now, what’s happening in Israel takes precedence and needs to be dealt with separately.” However, he did not mention the conflict in Ukraine explicitly.
Biden has proposed a $106 billion supplemental appropriations bill, with a majority of the funds dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s defenses against Russia. The remaining amount will be divided among Israel, the Indo-Pacific region, and immigration enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Johnson has asserted that enhancing support for Israel should be the top priority on the U.S. national security agenda, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 individuals and the hostage-taking of over 200 others.
In retaliation, Israel has sealed off Gaza and launched numerous air strikes on the Palestinian enclave, followed by a ground offensive. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 7,000 Palestinians, including almost 3,000 children, have been killed.
(Reporting by Brad Heath in Washington; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Stephen Coates)
