Israel-Gaza Updates: – ABC News

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there was “consensus” during a Sunday call between President Joe Biden and congressional leaders that Congress must act quickly to send aid to both Israel and Ukraine.

Schumer said at a news conference in New York that “hopefully” something can be accomplished in the coming week to help both countries.

Earlier Sunday, Biden spoke with Senate Majority Leader Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Schumer said the best way to send aid to Israel and Ukraine is for the House of Representatives to take up and approve the Senate-approved National Security Supplement, which includes aid to both countries. The Senate passed the $95 billion package in February, but Johnson did not bring it up for a vote.

“The best way to help Israel rebuild its anti-missile and anti-drone capabilities is to immediately approve that supplement. As I said, Israel has spent about a billion dollars defending itself and the security supplement would complement the kind of anti-missile system.” and anti-drone defense systems located in the Arrow, in the David’s Sling and in the Iron Dome,” Schumer said.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in a statement Saturday that the House of Representatives would change its legislative program this week to “consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist allies accountable,” but it is not yet clear which legislation that will be. or how drastically it might deviate from the Senate-passed bill.

–Allison Pecorin and Rachel Scott of ABC News