"Speaker Johnson Pushes for $17 Billion Standalone Israel Aid Bill, Setting Up Showdown with Senate"

Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a $17.6 billion emergency funding bill for Israel, criticizing the Senate for excluding the House GOP from negotiations and vowing to pass a standalone Israel supplemental package next week. The bill, previously offset by funds from the IRS, was rejected by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who accused Johnson of mixing "a poison pill" with Israel aid. Republicans are demanding strict border and immigration policy changes in exchange for supporting funds for Ukraine, with Johnson and others calling on Biden to use executive authority to shut down the border, while the White House insists a legislative fix is necessary.