Republicans, Democrats call for immediate vote on military aid package after Iran strike on Israel

Nearly 100 House Democrats and Republicans are imploring Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to immediately bring the Senate-passed package that includes aid for Israel for a House vote, following Iran’s unprecedented attack on the country over the weekend. 

In a letter sent Sunday night, the lawmakers push for Johnson to put the Senate-passed $95 billion national security supplemental that includes military aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan on the floor Monday evening.

“This weekend, the Iranian regime launched hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles directly against our key, democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel. Time is of the essence, and we must ensure critical aid is delivered to Israel and our other democratic allies facing threats from our adversaries around the world,” the lawmakers wrote.

It was led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and signed by 89 colleagues from both sides of the aisle. 

“We urge you to put the Senate Supplemental Aid package on the floor for an immediate vote when we return on Monday,” they wrote. “This aid package passed the Senate with 70 votes, Democrats and Republicans, and we can send it to the President’s desk for signature Monday night.”

The lawmakers’ demand flies in the face of Johnson’s efforts to work around the Senate-passed package, balancing opposition from members of his own party and former President Trump, who holds significant influence over the GOP, for weeks.

Johnson is trying to avoid a revolt in his own party, with Republican firebrands — most notably Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — threatening a vote to oust the Speaker over her opposition to aid for Ukraine. 

Johnson met with Trump in Florida on Friday, and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee signaled openness to the House passing more military aid for Ukraine. Trump, however, called for that assistance to be delivered as a loan. More time would be needed to draft and vote on such changes to the Senate-passed legislation, further delaying what the 91 lawmakers say is the need for an immediate vote.

But Trump’s support is important, allowing for Ukraine-aid opponents to soften their criticisms.

The majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress want to deliver a comprehensive aid package with assistance for Israel and Ukraine as well as priorities in the Indo Pacific. These lawmakers view U.S. support in these three theaters as connected, and want to avoid setting a precedent where Congress picks and chooses where it delivers support. 

“We can’t just pick and say, Iran is bad, but Russia is OK, and China is bad. … They’re all in this together. And it’s very clear to those of us in the intelligence, national security community,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” 

McCaul said he expected to speak with Johnson on Sunday night about moving forward on an aid package this week, but signaled openness to a loan program for aid to Ukraine, and other changes to the Senate-passed bill.