Rep. Courtney: Speaker Johnson’s Disappointing, One-Sided Bill Falls Far Short of the Gravity of This Moment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement on Speaker Johnson’s proposed supplemental funding bill for Israel. Notably, Speaker Johnson’s bill does not include any humanitarian aid or support for Ukraine and forces aid to be contingent on rescinding funding for the Internal Revenue Service.

“As the House reconvenes this week with a new Speaker, it should be focused on immediate, emergency measures to secure the release of innocent Israeli hostages, violently seized by Hamas, as well as resources and a plan, including a humanitarian pause, to protect innocent Palestinians, who had no part in Hamas’s unprovoked attack. President Biden’s request for an emergency supplemental which includes security assistance for Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza, strikes the right balance between both goals. Speaker Johnson’s disappointing, one-sided bill falls far short of the gravity of this moment. Stuffing a totally unrelated IRS provision that only benefits big corporations and the super-rich is not only a cheap giveaway to special interest groups, but sets a dangerous precedent by forcing emergency aid to be contingent on cuts to other programs. It’s time the House Republican majority stops putting politics above the survival of innocent lives.”

J Street, a pro-Israel organization, came out in strong opposition of Speaker Johnson’s proposal.

To read Congressman Courtney’s statement on the full supplemental bill requested by President Biden, click here.