Staff Reports
In a dramatic clash between House Speaker Mike Johnson and both Democrats and Senate Republicans, progress on war aid for Ukraine has come to a screeching halt. Johnson has veered away from supporting Ukraine by pushing for spending cuts in aid to Israel instead. This feud reveals how the new speaker is skillfully navigating the divisions among Republicans while standing firm against Democrats.
While House Republicans are moving forward with a $14.3 billion aid bill for Israel to combat Hamas terrorists, they are leaving out additional funding for Ukraine. This stark contrast sets them apart from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and even President Biden, both of whom want the two aid packages to be linked.
Mr. McConnell made his position clear, arguing that American leadership should not be sacrificed and that supporting Ukraine does not mean other priorities have to be neglected. Surprisingly, McConnell, Senate Democrats, and Biden are on the same page when it comes to aid for Ukraine and Israel.
It’s worth noting that President Biden has requested a foreign aid package of $106 billion, with $61 billion allocated for Ukraine and $14.3 billion for Israel. The package also includes funding for Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, humanitarian aid, and assistance for dealing with immigration at the southern border.
However, two major obstacles have emerged in Johnson’s Israel proposal. Senate Democrats and the White House quickly dismissed it as a “non-starter” because it reallocates IRS funding, which was increased by $80 billion under the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer emphasized that America cannot afford to ignore its allies’ needs. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a prominent Democratic leader, strongly condemned the proposal, describing it as irresponsible and a threat to national security.
Speaker Johnson sets collision course with McConnell, Democrats over emergency war aid https://t.co/0210kfya4Y
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 31, 2023
The Treasury Department and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan budget watchdog, also expressed concerns about slashing IRS funding. They argued that reducing resources aimed at recovering money from tax evaders would ultimately increase the national deficit. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized House Republicans for using national security as leverage to benefit the wealthy and big corporations.
Despite the strong opposition, there were a few Democratic outliers. Sen. Joe Manchin III, one of the architects of the Inflation Reduction Act, stated that he didn’t have an issue with “legitimate” IRS cuts. However, he still preferred including funding for Ukraine. Senate Democrats would need the support of at least nine Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold required to pass any legislation.
Sen. Kevin Cramer and Sen. J.D. Vance, from North Dakota and Ohio respectively, questioned McConnell’s stance on the war aid issue. Cramer believes McConnell’s position is not shared by many Republicans, urging him to consider all options. Vance, on the other hand, commended Johnson’s approach of decoupling aid for separate foreign conflicts and advocating for tougher border policies to be included in the negotiation.
Meanwhile, Johnson is facing a rebellion within his narrow majority, threatening the passage of aid for Israel. Reps. Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, from Kentucky and Georgia respectively, are opposing foreign assistance due to the alarming U.S. debt. They propose making deep domestic spending cuts instead and letting other countries borrow the money they need.
In this complex and controversial landscape, Johnson continues to navigate the divide within his party while taking a strong stance against Democrats. As the battle over war aid wages on, it remains to be seen how this clash will be resolved and whether compromise can be reached to address the needs of Ukraine and Israel.
