Democrats urge Johnson to include humanitarian assistance in foreign aid package [Video]

A group of House Democrats is calling on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to include humanitarian assistance in a foreign aid package that is expected to address funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific.

In a letter to Johnson sent Tuesday and obtained by The Hill, the Democrats asked Johnson to include $9.16 billion in global humanitarian assistance in any potential aid package, a figure slightly higher than what was included in a national security supplemental aid package the Senate passed in February. Johnson has refused to take up the Senate package.

The letter was first reported by Axios.

Democrats point to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as one of the most pressing concerns for the U.S. to address, but also ask for funding to help provide aid to Ukraine, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Sudan, Haiti and Venezuela.

“Our responsibility to act is not just a moral one; it is also strategic: by abdicating this responsibility, our nation would …