Illinois Members of Congress on House Speaker Vacancy, Aid to Israel and Migrant Funding

Blair Paddock | October 23, 2023 6:28 pm

After 20 days, there is still no Speaker of the House.

The lengthy delay comes as Congress is set to debate aid to Israel as the conflict in the region continues.

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U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Chicago, joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss aid to Israel, the House Speaker race and a growing number of migrants arriving to Chicago from the southern border.

Two Evanston natives held hostage were freed by Hamas late last week and are expected home possibly this week.

Ramirez said she’s trying to get some of the $108 billion designated for funding in Israel, Ukraine and other crises to come to Chicago for migrant aid. There’s border funding set aside in that package – with $1.4 billion being for emergency shelter support, she added.

Jackson said he’s pushing to increase that amount up to $10 billion.

“We’re working closely with the administration to increase that amount to come to sanctuary cities like Chicago,” Ramirez said. “We need a lot more than we’ve received.”