House Republican leadership announced it is shifting its schedule for the coming week to consider a bill in support of Israel after Iran launched a massive air attack, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in a statement on Saturday.
On Saturday, Iran launched a massive retaliatory attack on Israel involving over 300 missiles and drones, marking the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel. The majority were intercepted outside the country by air defence systems operated by Israel and its allies in the region, the IDF said.
Consequently, President Joe Biden returned to the White House ahead of schedule from Delaware on Saturday afternoon to receive a briefing from top national security advisers.
In light of Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to instead consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable, said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a statement.
He added: “The House of Representatives stands strongly with Israel, and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson did not directly address aid to Israel in his statement on Saturday, but highlighted he “will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response” to the attack.
Still unclear is what type of aid bill the House of Representatives may pass for Israel, as the additional $95 billion package also includes $60 billion for Ukraine, funds for Taiwan and humanitarian aid. It was passed by the Senate in February but has not yet been brought to the lower chamber, where the package faces opposition from some far-right Republican lawmakers because it includes funds for Ukraine.
While the Senate approved a package that addresses much of Biden’s request with bipartisan support in February, Johnson instead held a vote on bills to provide aid only to Israel after the 7 October Hamas attacks that sparked the war.
Biden said the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine depends on whether the US Congress approves continued funding for Kyiv as Ukraine awaits long-awaited aid as it tries to put up significant resistance to advancing Russian forces.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also insisted that the House of Representatives pass the Senate supplemental bill as Israel and the US military are in dire need of additional assistance in the region:
The national security supplemental that has waited months for action will provide critical resources to Israel and our own military forces in the region.
Despite, Members of Congress immediately called on both parties to transfer aid to Israel after the Iranian attack.
Iran’s Permanent Mission issued a statement warning the US to stay away from getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran: “However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US MUST STAY AWAY!”
