Congressman Mike Johnson Is Thinking About Asking Netanyahu To Speak

Mike Johnson

Following discussion of the issue in their closed-door conference meeting on Wednesday morning, House members are thinking of asking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. When questioned about asking Netanyahu to address Congress, Johnson told reporters, “That’s one of the things that we have in mind, and we may try to arrange for that.” “We certainly stand for that position and will try to advance it in every way that we can, but I think it’s very important for us to show solidarity and support for Israel at this time of great struggle.”

Mike Johnson Claims To Have Spoken With Netanyahu Early On Wednesday 

Mike Johnson told reporters, “I had a long talk with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning and reaffirmed the House Republicans’ strong support for Israel.”

Axios was the first to report that Mike Johnson was thinking of asking Netanyahu to address Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who harshly lambasted Netanyahu in a floor speech last week when he also called for Israel to have new elections, would need to support Netanyahu’s invitation to address a joint session of Congress. The idea of having Netanyahu also looks to be at a standstill on Capitol Hill, regarding more military funding to Israel. The House passed a stand-alone bill for military aid to Israel in November, but the Senate did not move it further since the House version used IRS cutbacks to balance its costs.