House GOP Unveils $14.3 Billion Standalone Israeli Aid Package

House Republicans announced an aid package on Monday that would redirect $14.3 billion in aid from the IRS to Israel, and separate Ukraine aid altogether.

The Details: The $14.3 billion was pulled from funding allocated to the IRS as part of the 2022 Democrat-backed, Republican-opposed Inflation Reduction Act. Lowering IRS funding and untethering Ukraine aid from Israeli aid, however, could be non-starters for Democrats.

For Context: On October 20, President Biden requested more than $105 billion from Congress, which included a proposed $61 billion for Ukraine, and $14.3 billion for Israel. Monday’s bill was rolled out by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who was elected last week after the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Key Quotes: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “We need to work with our colleagues in the House to ensure all these forms of aid make it to the President’s desk. We must not succumb to the false allures of isolationism that the hard right now professes, because the only thing that will achieve is to make America less safe.” Johnson told Fox News (Right bias), his strategy “may” cost Senate and House Democratic support but stated his intention to call Schumer and “have a very direct and thoughtful conversation about this.” He added, “I understand their priority is to bulk up the IRS.”

How The Media Covered It: Media across the spectrum included perspectives from Democratic and Republican representatives, and noted party divides over IRS and Ukraine funding.