House Speaker Johnson Plans to Invite Netanyahu to Address Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Thursday that he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. This decision came after receiving encouragement from members of his conference.

“We will definitely extend that invitation,” Johnson stated during an interview on CNBC.

It is not clear if Johnson wanted Netanyahu to speak to both chambers of Congress or just the House of Representatives. If Netanyahu is invited to address a joint session of Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, would need to agree. Schumer recently criticized Netanyahu and suggested that Israel should have new elections. CNN has contacted Schumer's office regarding the invitation.

Netanyahu criticized Schumer and spoke to Senate Republicans in a video conference at their private lunch on Wednesday.

Johnson shared that he was invited by Netanyahu to speak at the Knesset, calling it a "great honor." Previously, Kevin McCarthy also addressed the Knesset during his time as speaker.

The consideration of having Netanyahu address Congress comes at a time when additional military aid to Israel seems to be stuck on Capitol Hill. In November, the House approved a military aid bill for Israel, but the Senate did not move forward with it because the House proposed covering the cost by cutting funds from the IRS. In February, the Senate passed a bill that included aid for both Ukraine and Israel, but Johnson has not taken any steps to bring this legislation to a vote. Meanwhile, House Republicans have been exploring different options for providing aid to foreign countries.

This story has been updated with new developments.

Editor's P/S:

Speaker Johnson's invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress is a testament to the strong diplomatic ties between the United States and Israel. It is a significant gesture that underscores the importance of their partnership and the shared values they uphold. Netanyahu's address to Congress will likely focus on strengthening these ties and addressing current challenges, such as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the need for additional military aid.

However, the invitation also highlights the political dynamics within the United States. Schumer's criticism of Netanyahu and his suggestion for new Israeli elections indicate a potential divide between the Democratic and Republican parties on how to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The fact that the Senate has not yet acted on the military aid bill approved by the House further demonstrates the partisan divide on this issue. Nevertheless, Johnson's invitation to Netanyahu is a positive step that aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. exploring different options for providing aid to foreign countries, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to reach an agreement with the Senate.