House Republicans will propose a $17.6 billion package next week, providing military aid to Israel and replenishing U.S. weapons, but leaving out more support for Ukraine. This move gives Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans the opportunity to show support for Israel, although there is little chance the Senate will agree. The text of a broader Senate compromise is expected to be released this weekend, and a key test vote on that package will be held during the week.
Senator Johnson said that Senate leadership is aware that by failing to include the House in their negotiations, they have eliminated the ability for swift consideration of any legislation. He stated that removing the offsets should allow for swift passage of the Israel aid. The House has already approved a nearly $14.5 billion military aid package in November for Israel that the Senate declined to take up, and Republicans insisted it be paid for with cuts elsewhere. The bill targeted the Internal Revenue Service for cuts, though the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said doing so would end up costing the federal government a net $12.5 billion because of lost revenue from tax collections.
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., released the text of the military assistance bill for Israel, which would provide $4 billion to replenish missile defense systems, $1.2 billion to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats, funding for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, and $4.4 billion to replenish U.S. stocks of weapons provided to Israel.
