On Sunday, the top Democrat in the House belittled a standalone bill offered by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) that aims to send more aid to Israel, characterizing the proposal as not being “comprehensive” enough because it does not address other national security priorities.
Democrats will “evaluate” the legislation over the next few days, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on ABC’s “This Week,” which prompted ABC’s George Stephanopoulos to press him on whether that means he’s open to the bill.
“Well, to decide the way forward as it relates to America’s national security priorities,” Jeffries said. “Clearly, we’ve got to support Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas and to defeat Hamas. We also need to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to bring the hostages home, including American citizens.”
Jeffries alluded to a national security supplemental package being negotiated in the Senate that is expected to include aid to Israel as well as support for other causes, saying that the U.S. should be able to “surge” humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians as Israel fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Beyond that, we also have to address the national security priorities of the American people in other parts of the world,” he added. “First and foremost, certainly to support Ukraine’s effort to push back against Russian aggression, also to support our allies in the Indo-Pacific — Taiwan, Japan, South Korea. The legislation being put forth by House Republicans does none of that. The responsible approach is a comprehensive one to address America’s national security priorities.”
Fourteen House Democrats broke ranks and helped Republicans pass a bill in November that would give $14.3 billion in aid to Israel coupled with a matching cut in funds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Johnson, who has suggested that splitting up aid for U.S. allies is the fiscally responsible thing to do and indicated the Senate compromise would be “dead on arrival” in the House, indicated his new offering would not include the offset idea that the Democrat-led Senate has refused even to consider.
“Given the Senate’s failure to move appropriate legislation in a timely fashion, and the perilous circumstances currently facing Israel, the House will continue to lead. Next week, we will take up and pass a clean, standalone Israel supplemental package,” Johnson said in a Saturday letter announcing his proposal.
“During debate in the House and in numerous subsequent statements, Democrats made clear that their primary objection to the original House bill was with its offsets,” Johnson added. “The Senate will no longer have excuses, however misguided, against swift passage of this critical support for our ally.”
The White House released a statement on Saturday that highlighted how Johnson unveiled his new proposal as legislative text in the Senate was imminent after months of negotiations that included input from the Biden administration.
“We strongly oppose this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s aggression, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
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Stephanopoulos asked Jeffries to respond to “progressive” members, specifically naming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), saying they want “conditions” on more aid to Israel.
“Well, Israel has a right to defend itself,” Jeffries repeated. “And also, of course, a responsibility to conduct its war in a manner consistent with the international rules of conflict. We shouldn’t put conditions on the ability of any of our allies to defend themselves, particularly against a brutal terrorist regime like Hamas.”