Johnson: ‘We cannot waste any time getting Israel the aid it needs’

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Congress “cannot waste any time getting Israel the aid it needs” during his Thursday press conference, while discussing his conference’s plans to advance a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel.

The Republican conference introduced the package Monday, splitting Israel funding from a broader national security supplemental spending request from President Biden that also included $60 billion for Ukraine.

Johnson has also added cuts to the Internal Revenue Service to the Israel bill, which he says will help save money, but the Congressional Budget Office says this cut will ultimately add billions to the national debt.

“House Republicans plan to do that,” Johnson said Thursday. “We’re going to do it in short order, and it provides Israel the aid it needs to defend itself, free its hostages and eradicate Hamas, which is a mission that must be accomplished.”

“All of this while we also work to ensure responsible spending and reduce the size of the federal government to pay for that commitment to our friend and ally,” Johnson added. “We cannot waste any time getting Israel the aid it needs. We’re going to work on that.”

The move has divided Republicans in both the House and Senate and drawn outright opposition from many Democrats in both chambers. However, a floor vote on the bill could put House Democrats in a tough spot, given the widespread support for Israel among lawmakers.

Johnson’s gambit has also set up a clash with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his allies, who back a joint aid package for Ukraine and Israel.

Johnson has signaled support for a separate Ukraine aid package, but he has told Republican senators that Israel aid must move on its own.

Johnson on Thursday also called out the minority of Democrats who are calling on the U.S. to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

“I’ve heard Democrats suggest that there needs to be a cease-fire. Let us be clear, we’ve been very clear about this. There was a cease-fire. It was before October 7, and Hamas broke [in], and Israel suffered unspeakable acts of evil as you’ve heard, even recounted here this morning,” he said.

“Israel doesn’t need a cease-fire; it needs its allies to cease with the politics and deliver support now, and that’s what we’re doing.”

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