Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has released a new bill that includes $14.3 billion in emergency funding for Israel, paid for by rescinding the same amount of IRS funding from a law signed by President Joe Biden last year. This move by Johnson is seen as a way to pick a fight with Biden over his signature achievement.

The bill is expected to be considered by the Rules Committee when the House returns on Wednesday, with a vote in the full chamber expected as early as this week. However, if the bill passes the GOP-controlled House, the IRS provisions are all but guaranteed to be rejected by the Democratic-led Senate and White House, setting up a clash over how to approve Israel aid.

Johnson defended his move, stating that standing with Israel and protecting the innocent there is in the national interest and a more immediate need than IRS agents. However, Democrats quickly criticized Johnson, accusing him of politicizing the cause of protecting Israel.

The clash over Israel aid represents an early test for Speaker Johnson on navigating the demands of Republican hardliners with the realities of divided government. With tensions high between Republicans and Democrats, it remains to be seen how this issue will play out in Congress.