President Joe Biden engaged in a call on Sunday with key congressional leaders to address the escalating situation in the Middle East. The call included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as confirmed by an aide to Schumer.
The discussion among lawmakers remains divided on the issue of providing additional funding to Israel following Iran's recent strikes against the country. A crucial point of contention in Congress is whether to link aid to Israel with a broader national security aid package that would encompass financial support for Ukraine and Taiwan.
The Senate has already approved this comprehensive aid package, with bipartisan support from lawmakers such as Schumer and McConnell, who argue that this is the most efficient way to deliver aid to Israel.
However, the situation in the House, led by Johnson and the GOP, is more complex. Previously, the House faced challenges in passing a standalone Israel aid bill due to opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. Johnson now faces the dilemma of potentially facing backlash from the right if he associates the aid with Ukraine or brings the Senate-approved bill to the House floor.
Despite the complexities, Johnson has committed to introducing some form of Israel aid legislation this week. The specifics of the bill are still under discussion and being finalized.
