Biden Requests $105 Billion Aid Package for Israel, Ukraine and Other Crises – The New York Times
House Speaker Mike Johnson signals Hunter Biden will be subpoenaed in Joe Biden impeachment inquiry
On his first GOP conference call since taking the helm, House Speaker Mike Johnson promised on Sunday to push through a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel when the House reconvenes later this week, according to sources.
The Democratic-controlled Senate and White House, who prefer to link the two issues, will be in conflict with Johnson’s decision to move a standalone funding bill for Israel and separate it from Ukraine aid, even though he assured members that it would be fully funded. Additionally, Ukraine faces an uncertain future in the GOP-led House.
As government funding is about to expire next month, the first week of the Johnson-led House will be a critical test of the Louisiana Republican’s ability to move appropriations measures and aid to Israel in the midst of a drive for resolutions targeting individual legislators.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise talked members through the complete floor schedule for the week, according to sources, during Sunday’s conference call. GOP Whip Tom Emmer emphasised the value of attendance. The House will reconvene for votes on Wednesday evening.
This was meant to be a break week, but leadership needs all members in Washington, partly because they might be taking close votes.
The House will also have to consider a number of measures targeted at punishing particular lawmakers in addition to spending bills. One such measure is a resolution to expel New York GOP Representative George Santos, who entered a not guilty plea in federal court on Friday to ten charges that included, among other things, stealing donors’ identities and charging thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges on their credit cards.
This week’s agenda also includes resolutions to censure Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib. These reprimands, which were before rare and reserved for the worst transgressions, are being used more frequently.
Johnson remained mum on how Republicans should approach the Santos expulsion campaign, but he did express caution about the Tlaib censure move, which has prompted Democrats to go tit-for-tat.
According to individuals on the conversation, Johnson advised Republican lawmakers that “we should fight Democrats on policy.”
