The US House of Representatives will consider aid to Israel and Ukraine as separate bills this week, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday (April 15), more than two months after the Senate passed a bill combining the two.
Leaving a meeting of House Republicans on Monday evening, Johnson said the narrowly divided chamber would consider a total of four bills that would also include aid to Taiwan, U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific and U.S. national security priorities.
“We know the world is watching to see how we respond,” Johnson told reporters. “They’re watching to see if America will stand up for its allies and for our own interests around the world. And we will.”
U.S. aid has been delayed by Johnson’s unwillingness to consider a $95 billion bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in February, including $14 billion for Israel and $60 billion for Ukraine.
It also included billions to strengthen allies in the Indo-Pacific, where China is becoming more assertive, and for international humanitarian aid.
Johnson said the new House bills would provide roughly the same amount of foreign aid as the Senate bill, but would include differences, including some aid in the form of a loan.
Republicans plan to release the legislative text as early as Tuesday (April 16) morning, but will observe a 72-hour review period before voting. Johnson said a vote on passage could come late on Friday.
The push to pass the aid took on added urgency after Iran’s weekend missile and drone attack on Israel, despite fierce opposition in a deeply divided Congress.
Three of the four bills proposed by Johnson would cover Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific. The nature of the fourth was not immediately clear. #russia #ukraine #war
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