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Lawmakers in Congress are now facing pressure to pass a Senate foreign aid bill that provides funding for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Taiwan following the recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Israel.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “Given the events of tonight, it is even clearer that the best way to help Israel is for the House to quickly pass the Senate’s bipartisan national security supplemental next week.” Schumer added, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel,” and called on Iran to “take immediate steps to ratchet down their recklessly aggressive behavior.”
Echoing Schumer’s sentiments, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also highlighted the urgent need for Congressional action, emphasizing the broader implications of the bill: “The national security supplemental that has waited months for action will provide critical resources to Israel and our own military forces in the region. It will provide overdue lethal assistance to Ukraine and equip vulnerable allies and partners in Asia to deter the [People’s Republic of China]. And it will make urgent investments in our own defense industrial base.”
McConnell added, “We cannot hope to deter conflict without demonstrating resolve and investing seriously in American strength. The Commander-in-Chief and the Congress must discharge our fundamental duties without delay. The consequences of failure are clear, devastating, and avoidable.”
As the debate continues, the House New Democrat Coalition has also voiced their support for the Senate’s initiative, stating, “For months, New Dems have called for a vote on the essential national security funding package to protect our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in their fights against tyranny and terror and to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza.” They urged Speaker Mike Johnson to “immediately allow the House to vote for the bipartisan national security package that passed the Senate two months ago.”
The group emphasized, “It’s long past time that House Republican Leadership live up to their responsibilities, and uphold America’s ironclad commitment to defending our allies as they fight to defend themselves against oppressive powers.”
Speaker Mike Johnson, who has delayed a vote on the package, has advocated for legislators to consider individual aid funding bills for each country. Previously, Johnson supported a separate bill to provide aid to Israel, which was approved by Congress but encountered delays in the Senate. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the White House have urged for the approval of a comprehensive bill that would include aid for all countries.
