Although he did not specify that he had already made the request, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Thursday that he would ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress over the current assault against Hamas in Gaza.
"I would adore for him to visit and speak to a joint meeting of Congress," the Republican from Louisiana said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "We will definitely send out that invitation."
As for the scheduling, Johnson confirmed that he has received an invitation from Netanyahu to address the Israeli Knesset. He also said that he believes that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who voiced his disapproval of the prime minister last week, will have to give his consent before the speaker can address Congress.
"I am the one who invites people to speak in the House, and it is okay if we just have the House," Johnson said. "However, I believe that a sizable majority of that Senate would wish to attend and show their support for Israel and Netanyahu."
Johnson and Schumer have not yet spoken about the offer, a spokesman for Schumer said Axios.
The United States is Israel's strongest ally, according to Schumer, a Democrat from New York, who also stated in a statement that he "will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way."
"I would adore for him to visit and speak to a joint meeting of Congress," the Republican from Louisiana said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "We will definitely send out that invitation."
As for the scheduling, Johnson confirmed that he has received an invitation from Netanyahu to address the Israeli Knesset. He also said that he believes that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who voiced his disapproval of the prime minister last week, will have to give his consent before the speaker can address Congress.
"I am the one who invites people to speak in the House, and it is okay if we just have the House," Johnson said. "However, I believe that a sizable majority of that Senate would wish to attend and show their support for Israel and Netanyahu."
Johnson and Schumer have not yet spoken about the offer, a spokesman for Schumer said Axios.
The United States is Israel's strongest ally, according to Schumer, a Democrat from New York, who also stated in a statement that he "will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way."
