House Speaker Mike Johnson, seen here on Capitol Hill on April 10, said Saturday that he would “continue to work with the White House to demand an appropriate response” after the attack of Iran into Israel.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, seen here on Capitol Hill on April 10, said Saturday that he would “continue to work with the White House to demand an appropriate response” after the attack of Iran into Israel.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The House of Representatives is rescheduling next week to consider a bill to aid Israel in the aftermath of the crisis. Iran launched a drone toward Israel on Saturdaymarks a significant escalation in the conflict in the Middle East.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in a statement: “In light of Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to consider legislation to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable.” .
He added: “The House stands strongly with Israel and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack.”
Israeli officials said this was the first time Iran has launched an attack on Israel from Iranian soil. According to a senior US defense official, US forces actively shot down Iranian drones to support Israel.
Iran said its attack was in retaliation for an airstrike on its consulate in Syria earlier this month that it blamed on Israel. Israel neither confirmed nor denied being behind the attack.
President Biden returns to the White House ahead of time from Delaware on Saturday afternoon to be briefed by top national security advisers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he “will continue to work with the White House to demand an appropriate response” to the attack.
The shape of the aid package is unclear
It is unclear what kind of bill the House might pass to support Israel. Senate previously approved a $95 billion foreign aid package aid specifically for Israel and Ukraine. That package has not been passed by the House, where blocs of Republicans oppose additional funding for Ukraine. Some progressive members also expressed opposition to funding Israel.
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the House should take up the bill passed by the Senate.
“It is imperative that when the House returns on Monday, we pass a supplemental national security bill immediately to provide Israel and Ukraine with essential aid to defend themselves and prevent attacks. further attacks from Iran and Russia.” he say.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also pushed for the House to take up the amendment passed by the Senate.
“The national security addition that has been waiting months to act will provide critical resources to Israel and our military forces in the region,” McConnell said in a statement Saturday night. He added, “Tehran and its proxies are emboldened by seeing the split between America and Israel.”
What lawmakers are saying
There were immediate bipartisan calls from members of Congress to send aid to Israel following the Iranian attack.
Rep. Mike Lawler, RN.Y., called on Johnson to “offer a supplemental aid package to Israel to support them in their time of need.”
Lawler, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said: “This direct attack by Iran, after the regime repeatedly used its proxies, warrants immediate action by the United States to support any Israeli response.” statement about X.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., called Iran “the most destabilizing force in the Middle East.”
“Iran fired a drone at Israel. The United States will stand with Israel as it seeks to defend itself against an Iranian attack,” he said in a statement. declare. Torres has been one of the most outspoken House Democrats in defending Israel after the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
