News summary
- The newly elected president of the US Congress introduced a resolution in support of Israel.
- Congress approved the resolution by a vote of 412 to 10, reflecting the House’s support for the Jewish state.
- The House of Representatives has been without a speaker since October 3, when Kevin McCarthy was impeached.
Mike Johnson delivers a speech to the US Congress Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP October 25, 2023
The new Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnsonpresented a resolution in support of Israel in his first action as chairman of the House of Representatives this Wednesday (25), after a threeweek leadership vacuum left the Republicancontrolled House of Representatives unable to respond to the Middle East crisis.
“The first bill I am about to introduce to this House will be on support for our dear friend Israel, and we are behind on that,” Johnson said as he accepted the position of House Speaker.
The House of Representatives approved the resolution by a vote of 41210, reflecting Congress’ traditionally strong support for the Jewish state. The nonbinding measure reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Israel and calls on Hamas to immediately stop attacks and release all hostages.
The House has been without a speaker since Oct. 3, when eight Republicans joined Democrats to unseat Kevin McCarthy the first time a House speaker has been removed from office. Johnson, a social conservative with little leadership experience, was elected president on Wednesday.
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The Johnsonled House of Representatives is expected to soon take up a measure that would become law. Democratic President Joe Biden asked Congress last week to approve a $106 billion funding package, including billions in aid for Ukraine, Taiwan and border security, and $14.3 billion for Israel.
Johnson’s appointment to the role clouded the prospects for this comprehensive funding request. Like many other Republicans close to former President Donald Trump, the new House speaker is an opponent of aid to Ukraine.
A report from the conservative Republicans for Ukraine campaign gave Johnson a “Very Poor” grade based on his past votes against supporting Kiev in the fight against Russia.
War broke out in the Middle East on October 7 with an attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants, killing 1,400 people and taking another 200 hostage. Israeli retaliatory strikes in Gaza have killed more than 6,500 people, according to the Hamasrun Health Ministry.
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