On November 2, the U.S. House of Representatives authorized a $14.3 billion military-aid package for Israel, a move widely seen as a robust response to Israel’s war with Hamas but also a litmus test for new Speaker Mike Johnson, as the Republican majority attempts to get back to business after a month of chaos since deposing Speaker Kevin McCarthy.  

In a break from norms, Johnson’s package mandated that such emergency aid be countervailed with reductions in government spending elsewhere. The bill was approved 226-196, with 12 Democrats joining most Republicans on a primarily party-line vote.