Congressional Update: Israeli Support, What Is Our New Speaker Up To?
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R)
November 3, 2023 | Washington, D.C.
News this morning tells us that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $14.3 billion appropriations bill to support Israel in its war to defend itself against Hamas and the broader regions populated by jihadists.
Daily Wire: 12 House Dems Ignore Biden Veto Threat, Help Pass Israel Aid With IRS Cuts
Fiscal conservatives, who are justifiably outraged by the drunken sailor style spending going on under this administration, may be dismayed at this move. But take note of a couple of things that may explain the strategy of new House Speaker Mike Johnson.
One is that the Biden Administration seemed intent on coupling military spending for Israel for yet another round of spending for Ukraine. The majority of Americans polled seem to have had enough of that gravy train, no matter how they may feel about the Ukraine/Russia conflict in general.
But most Americans do support Israel, despite the insanity that seems to have taken over our college campuses and blue cities. By jumping the Biden gun, Johnson allowed the Israel appropriation to be considered on its own.
The second consideration is that support for Israel is a wedge issue with Democrats and there could be no better issue to create a firestorm within the party and within the base that supports it.
Twelve Democrats broke ranks to vote with Republicans on this high-profile bill, something we have seen little of in the past decade or so. Now we shall watch and see if those Democrats are successfully bullied to fall into line or whether the wedge sinks deeper and the divide grows.