Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is poised to join Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. The idea was framed as a way to respond to Schumer's speech last week tearing into U.S. policy toward Israel in the wake of recent conflicts. Johnson's invitation comes as the debate about U.S. policy toward Israel has shifted since the war. GOP leaders are emphasizing their support for Israel and its right to defend itself.
Schumer has said that he will join Johnson in inviting Netanyahu to deliver a speech to Congress in a bipartisan way. A spokesperson for Schumer said in response that the Republican House speaker had yet to discuss the matter with him. However, the Democratic senator from New York is in agreement with the plan to have Netanyahu address Congress on the topic of national security.
Johnson confirmed on CNBC that he would extend the invitation to Netanyahu to speak to Congress. Schumer's approval of the address comes as a significant move toward bipartisanship on the issue of U.S. support for Israel. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he plans to invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress about the conflict against terrorism and the importance of U.S.-Israel relations.