Staff Reports
Speaker Mike Johnson marked the one-month anniversary of the Hamas terror attack on Israel in a creative and effective way. He brought the families of some of the Jewish hostages to the Capitol to up the pressure on the Democrat-run Senate and urge them to pass the GOP’s war aid bill. Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation and stated that Congress cannot waste any more time in supporting Israel with the House-passed $14.3 billion aid package.
Families of Jewish hostages in Gaza help Speaker Johnson press Senate to pass Israel aid billhttps://t.co/EeF1e57JjU pic.twitter.com/RkyTvrNGRm
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 8, 2023
Last week, the House passed the aid package focused on military support, but President Biden and the Senate rejected it because it is funded by clawing back a huge funding increase to the IRS. Johnson made his point even stronger by standing with the families of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in the Oct. 7 raid, where 1,400 people were brutally killed and over 200 hostages were taken.
The families of Alon Shamriz, Guy Illuz, and brothers Gali and Ziv Berman passionately pleaded for help to defeat Hamas and bring back their loved ones. Mr. Illuz, who was shot in the arm during the terrifying attack at the Nova Music festival, had his mother, Dorris Liber, speak on his behalf. She shared how she spoke to her son while he was under attack and hasn’t heard from him since. Their stories highlight the urgent need for action and assistance.
Johnson’s aim is to pass the House’s aid package for Israel, which stands in stark contrast to President Biden’s $106 billion emergency request that includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and processing illegal immigrants. Senate Democrats, along with the White House, have accused House Republicans of playing partisan politics and have vowed to stop the bill. Both sides are at a standstill, as Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer is in favor of a catch-all aid bill, while Senate Republicans demand tough border security measures.
Despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with little signs of slowing down, Johnson remains committed to his cause. He pushed back on criticism by canceling extra funding for the IRS that was included in the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. Johnson’s stance is that the government should focus on meeting its obligations and taking care of allies, rather than increasing the budget deficit.
The situation in Israel remains critical, and the need for urgent assistance is evident. Johnson, along with other Republicans, refuses to consider a ceasefire or pause in fighting. They argue that Hamas has shown no willingness to end the violence, as they continue to carry out attacks on innocent civilians, including American citizens.
Johnson’s efforts to prioritize and support Israel’s needs during this turbulent time are commendable. With the cooperation of the Senate and the White House, the aid package can be successfully passed, providing much-needed support to Israel in their fight against terrorism.
