Schumer says emergency Israel and Ukraine funding shouldn't be 'offset'

House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for the emergency Israel funding to be offset with cuts to the IRS funding in the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: October 31, 2023 3:32pm

Updated: October 31, 2023 3:55pm

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Tuesday that “emergency foreign aid" for Israel and Ukraine should not be paid for with budget cuts or other forms of reduced spending, taking a different approach than House Republicans.

"Emergency foreign aid should not be offset," Schumer said during a news conference on Tuesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for the emergency Israel funding, estimated at $14.5 billion, to be offset with cuts to the IRS funding in the Democrats' $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act that passed last year.

Schumer supports wrapping Israel and Ukraine into one package.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said a serious southern border security component of a foreign aid package could get Senate Republicans on board with a "comprehensive approach" to Israel and Ukraine.