White House calls top lawmakers over to discuss Israel aid package

The White House met Friday afternoon with a group of top House lawmakers to discuss plans for sending aid to Israel, four Capitol Hill aides confirmed.

The meeting came as the Biden administration prepares a new supplemental funding request meant to support Israel’s military and defense capabilities in its war with Hamas. The White House expects that request to be made next week, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday.

The group of lawmakers included top Democratic appropriator Rep. Rosa DeLauro and the leaders of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.). Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who is serving as the acting House speaker, also joined the meeting, one aide said.

The meeting came as House Republicans continue to try and elect a speaker, having been without one for days. Republicans on Friday adjourned for the weekend without a clear path forward, after it became clear current lead candidate Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) did not yet have near enough votes to win the speakership.

“I think that the White House is very concerned about the lack of having a speaker, because we need resources for Ukraine and Israel,” Meeks said after the White House meeting. “They were adamant and are adamant about needing to make sure that we are able to continue giving Israel and Ukraine what they need.”

Leaders in both parties have pledged full support for Israel in response to last week’s terror attacks by Hamas, such as approving additional security assistance funding. But it’s unclear whether the House can act on such legislation before Republicans choose a new speaker.

Four centrist Democrats on Friday proposed giving McHenry temporary authority to take up urgent bills including an aid package, in exchange for increased Democratic control of the House calendar. But Republicans have so far shown no inclination to strike a cross-aisle deal.

The White House has also floated tying Israel aid to funding that it plans to request for Ukraine, a decision that some House Republicans have warned will imperil support for the entire package.

An official for the White House National Security Council said the Friday meeting was being held to brief “key leaders on the gravity of the situation in Israel and Ukraine.”

Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.