US House Speaker "Attempting to Pass Israel Support Budget Bill Within Days"

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced on the 14th (local time), the day after Iran's attack on Israel, that he will push for the passage of a military aid budget for Israel within a few days. President Joe Biden also emphasized the need to pass a security package budget that includes support for Israel and Ukraine during a call with bipartisan leaders on the same day.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Johnson appeared on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" and said, "House Republicans and the Republican Party understand that it is essential for the U.S. to stand with Israel." He added, "We will try again to pass the Israel aid package during this week," explaining, "We are currently piecing together the specifics of the package. We are reviewing the options and all these supplemental budget issues."

Currently, in Congress, there are separate pending bills: the Republican Israel-only aid bill and the ruling Democratic Party's package aid bill covering Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and others. Speaker Johnson had previously refused to pass the $95 billion (approximately 131 trillion won) package aid bill led by the Democrats that passed the Senate. However, in recent weeks, he has hinted at the possibility of considering aid for Ukraine in exchange for concessions on other issues from the Democrats. This has led to backlash from the hardline faction within the Republican Party.

Amid this, with Iran's attack on Israel emerging as a new variable, attention is focused on whether Speaker Johnson will push for a bipartisan agreement on the package budget bill or stick to the Republican Israel-only aid bill. The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Pressure on Speaker Johnson will intensify due to Iran's attack," adding, "It is uncertain whether the bill, which is said to advance in the House this week, will include support for Ukraine."

On the same day, President Biden held calls with bipartisan leaders including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to exchange views on the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the Iran-originated attack.

It was reported that the conversation included the necessity of passing support budgets for Israel and Ukraine. So far, Senate leaders Schumer and McConnell, representing both parties, have emphasized that passing the existing package aid bill, which has already passed the Senate, is the fastest way to support Israel.