Speaker Mike Johnson said he’ll invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, a move that comes a week after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s speech criticizing the Israeli leader’s handling of the war in Gaza.
“We will certainly extend that invitation,” the speaker said in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
Johnson told reporters Wednesday that he’d had a “lengthy” conversation with Netanyahu, indicating his interest in inviting the prime minister to speak to Congress.
Schumer’s speech has drawn fierce pushback from Republicans but support even among fierce Democratic defenders of Israel, who are frustrated with Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
A Schumer spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Any joint address to Congress would require his sign off.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told POLITICO he had no reaction to Johnson’s planned invite. Democratic leadership has not formally heard from Johnson on the planned invitation, according to a Jeffries aide.
Ursula Perano contributed to this report.
