Speaker Johnson of Louisiana announced Saturday that the House will vote next week on an aid bill dedicated to Israel that focuses solely on this country and not tied to an earlier package that included $14.3 billion in IRS funding cuts. This new bill seeks to differentiate its aid from previous packages with IRS cuts included within them, thus decoupling support from any possible ties with previous support packages that included these cuts.
Welker inquired of Johnson whether former President Donald Trump, who opposes both Senate bills pertaining to immigration and Israel aid packages, played any part in his decision to advance this new proposal.
Does Johnson Want to Set Up a Showdown With the Senate?
Johnson’s move to introduce a standalone Israel bill poses a threat to House-Senate relations, which had planned on unveiling their bipartisan immigration and foreign aid deal this week. Johnson’s bill, which provides more military aid for Israel as well as unlocking Ukraine funding sources, has become intertwined with conservative demands that Congress use budget shutdown as leverage against President Biden and force him to accept immigration changes.
On NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday, host Kristen Welker asked Johnson why he was threatening to destroy a bipartisan immigration deal that he had pledged support for. Johnson explained he wasn’t out to break promises but wanted House Republicans to debate and vote on it freely and fairly. If this occurred, Johnson warned a shutdown may ensue which could halt investments such as his new antifentanyl strategy and delay efforts at dealing with border crises.
Does Johnson Want to Kill the Immigration Deal?
Johnson has increased the pressure on senators to abandon plans for a border security package which would combine Israeli aid and restrictions on asylum laws into one bill. Hardline House Republicans have already pledged their vote against such legislation if passed by the Senate and House Republicans have threatened to vote out Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas should such legislation become law.
Senate negotiators plan to unveil a draft text of a supplemental spending bill by Sunday and begin procedural votes next week, though the deal faces hurdles such as fierce opposition from former President Donald Trump and lack of interest among House GOP lawmakers to tie aid directly with border security measures.
Johnson made his case in an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” He claimed his proposed legislation would not permit migrants to encroach into the country weekly and accused critics of mischaracterizing its provisions. This issue may become even more complicated if House passes an immigration bill next week that grants DHS emergency authority to close borders if daily average migrant encounters exceed certain thresholds.
Rep. Adam Johnson expressed support
On Sunday, House Democratic leader Rep. Adam Johnson expressed support for a standalone bill he plans to introduce for sending more aid to Israel, saying the House would evaluate it over the coming days. Aides of Johnson also rejected White House claims that the plan is an effort to bypass Ukraine aid and avoid an immigration deal.
On Saturday, Johnson explained his decision to move a stand-alone Israel bill, after lashing out at Senate leaders for barring him from bipartisan negotiations on border security deals that included foreign aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in them. Under Johnson’s plan, Israel would receive additional $17 billion over time while offset against it through IRS cuts.
House members are scheduled to consider an Israel-only package this week, while Senate lawmakers are working on an expansive national security and immigration bill they hope to start voting on next week. A separate Israel bill could fail when brought before Senator Chuck Schumer as Majority Leader has promised that any proposal that fails to provide funding for Ukraine and include immigration compromise would be rejected outright.
Ukraine bill
Although Johnson denies it, his move to introduce a standalone Ukraine bill will almost certainly cause tension with the Senate and delay efforts to provide Israel with U.S. aid. Even if Senate ultimately passes a national security package including both Ukraine and border enforcement provisions, Johnson’s action may kill it immediately in House.
Conservatives are already aligning against a proposed legislation requiring any additional military aid to Ukraine be offset with tough new border provisions, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on “This Week.” Furthermore, Johnson could face dismissal from his own party should he yield to hardline demands for change.
No one knows if Speaker Ryan can salvage a bipartisan deal on both Ukraine and immigration; but his move to advance a stand-alone bill shows he’s willing to try.
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