Look Ahead to the Week of April 15: Will Aid for Israel Pass?
Both the Senate and House are in session this week.
Over the weekend, Iran launched a coordinated attack on Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria, which resulted in the death of a key Iranian military commander. As a result of the attack, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has stated that the House will consider legislation this week to support Israel. It is unclear yet if he will include aid to Ukraine in any funding package. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has urged Johnson to take up the Senate-passed version, which included $95 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan and was approved with widespread bipartisan support. Johnson is still considering whether aid to Ukraine should be in the form of an interest-free loan or if the cost could be offset by seized Russian assets. Looming over this decision is the threat of a motion to vacate to oust him as Speaker if he relies on Democratic votes.
Further, the Senate may receive the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week. If that happens, the upper chamber will likely dispense of the issue quickly via a motion to table that only requires 51 votes given that Democrats and some Republicans remain skeptical of the charges against Mayorkas.
The Senate also intends to act on reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires on Friday. The House passed the legislation late last week, although concerns remain over the controversial spying and intelligence program.
Administration
On Monday, President Joe Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa Al-Sudani. He will then meet with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic. Biden will spend the rest of the week traveling the East Coast for campaign-related events.
House Side
On Monday, the House will meet to consider multiple bills under suspension.
- Bills expected under suspension of the rules.
- H.R. 5921 – No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Huizenga – Financial Services)
- H.R. 5923 – Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Lawler – Financial Services)
- H.R. 6245 – Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Hill – Financial Services)
- H.R. 6015 – Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Luetkemeyer – Financial Services)
- H.R. 6408 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations, as reported (Rep. Kustoff – Ways and Means)
Tuesday – Thursday, the House is scheduled to meet for legislative business and additional measures under suspension.
- Bills expected under a rule.
- H.Res. __ – Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel (Rep. Kean – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 6046 – Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act (Rep. Clyde – Judiciary)
- H.R. 6323 – Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023 (Rep. Young Kim – Financial Services)
- H.R. 4691 – Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2023 (Rep. Self – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 5947 – To provide for the recission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes (Rep. Pfluger – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 4639 – Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act (Rep. Davidson – Judiciary)
- Bills expected under suspension of the rules.
- H.R. 3033 – Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023 (Rep. Steel – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 6603 – No Technology for Terror Act, as amended (Rep. Moran – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 5917 – Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act (Rep. Gallagher – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 5826 – No Paydays to Hostage-Takers Act, as amended (Rep. Joe Wilson – Foreign Affairs)
- H.R. 4681 – Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act of 2023, as amended (Rep. Hill – Foreign Affairs)
- H.Res. 288 – Urging the European Union to expeditiously designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization under Common Position 931 (Rep. Tenney – Foreign Affairs)
- H.Res. 883 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is antisemitic and its use must be condemned (Rep. D'Esposito – Foreign Affairs)
Senate Side
On Monday, the Senate will resume consideration of Judge Ramona Manglona’s nomination to serve another term on the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. The Senate has also agreed to vote by Friday on legislation prohibiting the use of funds to implement the Environment Protection Agency’s rule limiting tailpipe emissions.