House Republican leaders plan to consider aid for Israel after Iran attack : NPR

The Home of Representatives is shifting its schedule for the approaching week to contemplate laws supporting Israel within the aftermath of Iran launching drones towards Israel on Saturday, marking a major escalation within the Center East battle.

“In mild of Iran’s unjustified assault on Israel, the Home will transfer from its beforehand introduced legislative schedule subsequent week to as a substitute take into account laws that helps our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” mentioned Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise in a press release.

He added: “The Home of Representatives stands strongly with Israel, and there have to be penalties for this unprovoked assault.”

Israeli officers say that is the primary time Iran has launched an assault on Israel from Iranian soil. U.S. forces had been lively in capturing down Iranian drones to help Israel, in keeping with a senior U.S. protection official.

Iran mentioned its assault 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 assault.

President Biden returned to the White Home forward of schedule from Delaware Saturday afternoon to be briefed by prime nationwide safety advisers.

Home Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned in a press release he “will proceed to interact with the White Home to insist upon a correct response” to the assault.

The form of an help package deal is unclear

It isn’t clear what sort of invoice to help Israel the Home might take up. The Senate beforehand handed a $95 billion international help package deal that devoted help for Israel and Ukraine. That package deal hasn’t been taken up by the Home, the place blocs of Republican members object to extra Ukraine funding. Some progressive members have additionally expressed resistance to funding for Israel.

Former Home Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned the chamber ought to take up the Senate-passed invoice.

“It’s completely crucial that when the Home returns on Monday, we go the nationwide safety supplemental instantly to supply Israel and Ukraine with important help to defend itself and deter additional assaults from Iran and Russia,” he mentioned.

Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell additionally pushed for the Home to take up the Senate-passed supplemental.

“The nationwide safety supplemental that has waited months for motion will present vital assets to Israel and our personal army forces within the area,” McConnell mentioned in a press release Saturday evening. He added, “Tehran and its proxies are emboldened once they see divisions between the U.S. and Israel.”

What lawmakers are saying

There have been rapid bipartisan calls from members of Congress to go help for Israel within the aftermath of the Iranian assault.

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., known as on Johnson to “convey ahead a supplemental package deal of help for Israel with a view to help them of their time of want.”

“This direct Iranian assault, after the regime has persistently used its proxies, warrants rapid U.S. motion to help any Israeli response,” Lawler, who sits on the Committee on Overseas Affairs, mentioned in a press release on X.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., known as Iran “the one most destabilizing pressure within the Center East.”

“Iran has fired drones at Israel. The US will stand with Israel because it seeks to defend itself within the face of an Iranian assault,” he mentioned in a press release. Torres has been some of the outspoken Home Democrats in protection of Israel after the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.