MNI POLITICAL RISK - Speaker Vote Crucial To Israel Response

Executive Summary:

• The biggest escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in decades has significantly escalated political risk in the Middle East and risks a wider conflagration which could be complicated by political dysfunction in the United States.
• The White House is expected to brief lawmakers in the coming days on the shape of US support for Israel, likely to include a supplemental security package and additional support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defence system.
• A resolution from Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Don Davis (D-NC) is being prepared for release tomorrow which will declare that the US, "stands ready for urgent requests for additional assistance," - a major test for House Republicans who are currently in a state of paralysis ahead of a likely contentious vote to elect a new speaker.
• Rep Kevin Hern (R-OK) announced over the weekend that he would not run for speaker, saying in a social media post: “House Republicans must unify — and do it fast.”
• A Congressional Delegation to China led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) met with Chinese President Xi Jinping today in Beijing.
• The Biden administration is looking at “creative ways” to keep aid flowing to Ukraine without Congressional approval.
• Around 4,000 United Auto Workers members at Mack Trucks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Florida are set to join strike action today.

Please find the full article attached below:

MNIPOLRISKUSDaily091023.pdf