The U.S. House of Representatives remains without an elected speaker as Israel mobilizes to counter widespread terrorist attacks by Hamas.
Despite the added urgency to direct America’s legislative response to the newly declared war in Israel, and with the Senate out of session until next week, it appears unlikely the discordant House GOP can unite behind one standard-bearer before the end of the week.
But for now, much of the immediate action needed from the United States falls to President Joe Biden.
What has the U.S. done to support Israel?
Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu additional security assistance was on its way during a phone call on Sunday, according to The New York Times, which reported the assistance would come on top of the annual $3 billion in military aid provided by the U.S.
The U.S. will also move one of its aircraft carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean in a show of support for Israel, according to a Sunday press release from U.S. Central Command.
But in the likely case further funding for Israel is needed, Congress — the institution that holds “the power of purse” — will need to get organized.
What can the House do to aid Israel without a speaker?
The House has been left in legal limbo since last Tuesday’s dramatic ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — the first such removal in U.S. history — with many experts and lawmakers saying little can be done to legislate additional aid to Israel, or advance time-sensitive annual spending bills, until a new speaker is elected by a majority of House representatives.
However, the chamber’s narrow majority will require nearly unanimous consent among Republican representatives if they want to select a speaker along party lines — something that took five days and 15 rounds of voting the last time it was attempted in January. And tensions are still high among conference members furious with their eight colleagues who crossed the aisle to remove McCarthy last week.
GOP lawmakers have said they hope to avoid a repeat of January’s speaker vote and last week’s motion to vacate by coming to unanimous agreement behind closed doors about which candidate the party will support and what their plan will be to pass spending bills, according to Reuters.
House Republicans are meeting Tuesday for a private candidate forum where Reps. Steve Scalise, R-La., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will make their respective pitches to fill the House’s top leadership position. An internal GOP speaker’s election is scheduled for Wednesday, with a vote of the full chamber likely coming Thursday at the earliest.
In the absence of a speaker, House leadership, including staffers in the speaker’s office, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and the House Intelligence Committee, have been briefed on the latest information regarding Hamas’ attack and Israel’s response, Punchbowl News reports.
According to Axios, questions remain about whether Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the “speaker pro tempore,” can receive intelligence briefings and lawmakers are worried bills that include Israeli aid or resolutions in support of Israel will be delayed until McHenry is replaced by a House-approved speaker.
Jeffries is reportedly working with the Biden administration to schedule a full-House briefing this week.
What has McCarthy said about assistance to Israel?
While McCarthy said last week he is not seeking reelection to the speakership, he clarified in multiple interviews over the weekend he would not reject his party’s nomination if that’s what the “conference wants.”
In a press conference Monday morning, McCarthy outlined what he said should be America’s priorities in addressing the conflict in Israel and said supporting the Jewish state had been one of his tops priorities as a member of Congress, leading a delegation to Israel every term, including as speaker.
McCarthy presented a five-point plan “to help our ally Israel and to strengthen our own future.” His points included:
1. Rescue all American hostages.
2. Provide full support for our ally Israel.
3. Confront Iran and the new “Axis of Evil.”
4. Focus on securing our own open border.
5. Condemn antisemitism in the United States.
McCarthy noted the death toll of Americans had risen from four to nine in the days since Hamas attacked. It has since been reported as 11 dead American citizens.
He also took aim at the Biden administration for its recent decision to free up $6 billion of previously restricted Iran savings, saying the exchange of financial incentives to secure the release of American hostages has “emboldened terrorists.”
McCarthy called on Biden to refreeze the money previously released to Iran, and to reverse policies that have allowed Iran to sell more oil and build up its foreign reserves.