By Maria Ortiz
Apr 14, 2024, 01:53 AM EDT
The House of Representatives is changing its agenda for next week to consider legislation supporting Israel following the attack carried out on Israel by Iran on Saturday, which marks a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict.
“In light of Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will move from its previously announced legislative calendar next week to consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” he said. House Majority Leader Steve Scaliseit’s a statement.
He added: “The House of Representatives strongly supports Israel and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack.”
However, Scalise He did not specify what the legislation will be and said that “more details on the legislative elements that will be considered will be provided soon.”
Republicans have twice attempted to pass such legislation, but failed both times due to Democratic opposition to a package that It also does not include aid to Ukraine and Taiwan.
Most Democrats, and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, instead called for the House to advance a $95 billion aid bill already approved by the Senate for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and Palestinian civilians, which has been deadlocked for months.
“On Monday, our first order of business should be to accept the Senate-approved supplement, which is the best and fastest path to providing emergency relief,” said Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement: “The national security supplement that has waited months to act will provide critical resources to Israel and our own military forces.”
That $95 billion dollar package. has not been accepted by the House, where blocks of Republican members oppose additional funding for Ukraine. Some progressive members have also expressed resistance to funding Israel.
“Given tonight’s events, it is even clearer that the best way to help Israel is for the House to quickly approve the Senate’s bipartisan national security supplement next week,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a statement.
This is the first time that Iran has launched an attack against Israel from Iranian soil.
US forces were actively involved in shooting down Iranian drones to support Israel, a senior US defense official said.
Iran said its attack was retaliation for an airstrike on its consulate in Syria earlier this month, which it blames on Israel. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the attack.
President Biden returned to the White House ahead of schedule from Delaware on Saturday afternoon to be briefed by his top National Security Council advisors.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he “will continue to work with the White House to insist on an appropriate response” to Iran’s attack on Israel.
President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned Iranian attacks on military facilities in Israel, promised a coordinated G7 diplomatic response and said the United States had helped Israel shoot down “almost all” of the attacking drones and missiles.
With information from NPR, Axios and Politico
Keep reading:
– Israel repels an unprecedented attack by Iran that escalates confrontation in the Middle East
– President Joe Biden condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel
– The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at the request of Israel