This week, the U.S. Senate is set to review a $105 billion national security supplemental request from the Biden administration, which includes aid to Ukraine and Israel, efforts to contain China, and tougher border security in the U.S. Meanwhile, House Republicans are planning to vote on an emergency aid package for Israel that does not include funding for other U.S. allies. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is advocating for the broader national security spending bill, while the House is pushing for a more targeted approach. The outcome of the Senate hearing and the House vote will be critical in determining the future of the Biden administration's national security spending bill.
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The Senate has confirmed Jack Lew as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, with support from only two Republicans. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of those Republicans, said the ambassadorship is "as important and timely as any nomination" due to the war against Hamas. Lew, who served as Treasury Secretary under President Obama, is expected to take up his post in Jerusalem soon.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has announced plans to issue subpoenas to three individuals in connection with a probe into ethics practices at the Supreme Court. The 11 Democratic members of the panel are targeting two wealthy Republican donors and an influential conservative legal activist in order to uncover more information about the trips provided to two Supreme Court justices. The investigation is a significant escalation of the Democrats' efforts to hold the high court accountable, and the subpoenas could provide important insight into the relationship between the justices and wealthy donors.
House Republicans have proposed a bill that would provide $14.3 billion in emergency funding for Israel, paid for by rescinding the same amount of IRS funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill has been met with criticism from Democrats, and the outcome of the vote in the full House chamber this week will determine the fate of the bill and the funding for Israel. The bill sets up a collision with the White House and Democratic-controlled Senate over how to support a key U.S. ally.
Washington state Senator Jeff Wilson was arrested at the Hong Kong airport after security personnel found an unloaded revolver in his briefcase. The court dismissed the charge against Wilson due to his clear criminal record and open admission of the mistake, and he was released from custody after the hearing. The incident has sparked debate about the safety of travelers in Hong Kong, with some arguing for more awareness of the laws and others for more stringent security measures.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" to defend his decision to "deactivate" campus chapters of the advocacy group Students for Justice in Palestine, claiming it was a matter of security, not free speech. His Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy had called the move "utter hypocrisy from someone who railed against left wing cancel culture." DeSantis argued that the SJP chapters advocated for the destruction of the Jewish state, and that his decision was necessary to ensure student safety and protect a key ally of the United States.
This week, the House of Representatives is set to consider a standalone bill that would provide aid to Israel, with House Speaker Mike Johnson expressing confidence that it will pass with bipartisan support. Biden has asked Congress for $106 billion in aid, including for Ukraine, Israel, the border, and countering China, but the Senate has yet to consider a similar measure. If passed, the bill would provide much needed support to Israel and could help to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador, criticized Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference, emphasizing the need for a Republican candidate who can win the election. Trump received a hero’s welcome at the event, despite his controversial views on Israel, and other 2024 GOP presidential candidates sought to peel away support from the former president.