Johnson backs $14 billion for Israel

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), Speaker of the House, is crafting a $14.5 billion aid bill for Israel. That’s significantly more modest than President Biden’s proposed $100 billion “supplemental package” for Israel and Ukraine. But the more interesting part is that Johnson is insisting on budget offsets to pay for this package. The House has never done that before.

Johnson seeks fiscal discipline in support for Israel

In his interview with Sean Hannity, Johnson had said he would support giving $14.5 billion to Israel. This would of course be in the context of the Fourth Arab-Israeli War. He also said this was slightly more than Israel asked for, though he didn’t say where he had that information.

Saying money should not “rain from helicopters,” Johnson spoke specifically about Congress’ power of the purse. He also reminded Hannity that Congress, not the President, has the power to declare war. At the same time he expressed sympathy with Israel’s position, saying, “Their neighbors want to eliminate them.”

Jake Sherman, at Punchbowl News, wrote extensively about the offsetting plan. He observed that Congress has never tried offsetting under these circumstances, preferring instead to regard such aid as “an emergency.” The House, if it adopts such a plan, will be in collision with the Senate, where much of the leadership wants Israel and Ukraine money tied together. But this also suggests that the House might not fund Ukraine anymore.

In late morning, Sherman reported that the House was considering levying more customs fees, and a “non-Medicare mandatory sequester.”

Later this afternoon, Johnson shared this brief statement:

Division among Democrats

Yesterday, Daniel Chaitlin atThe Daily Wireobserved evidence of a deep divide in the House Democratic Conference. The House passed a resolution in support of Israel, 412-10, with 7 “Present” votes and 4 absences. Of the ten, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the lone Republican “no” vote, and by all accounts he was concerned about where the money might come from – or whether “support” would include combat troops. The other nine “no” votes were Democrats.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is at the forefront, among Democrats, addressing antisemitism in schools and college campuses. He reposted this post earlier today.

See also this thread:

And this:

Yesterday he posted this in response to an attempt by the leadership of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Arabic Harakah al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah, abbreviated HAMAS) to excuse their initial, atrocious action as “a military action.”

The day after the Israel resolution passed (also the day Mike Johnson became Speaker), Gottheimer lashed out at his colleagues who voted “no” or “Present.”

In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) called Gottheimer “coward” and “punk” for saying the above. Carson was one of the nine “no” votes.