Funding for additional acquisition of Iron Dome interceptors approved by US House
The House approved the budget for acquisition of Iron Dome interceptors after a political struggle over the American debt ceiling. The interceptors will be manufactured mostly by Raytheon in the US
Dan Arkin
| 26/09/2021
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The U.S. House of Representatives approved $1 billion worth of funding to enable Israel to replenish its stock of Iron Dome interceptors. Following delays, the bill was passed 420-9, with eight Democrats and one Republican voting "no", and two Democrats voting "present".
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote that she would support the bill and the agreement that was signed with Israel in 2016 that calls for $500 million in annual funding of Iron Dome. "Passage of this bill reflects the great unity, in Congress on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, for Israel. Security assistance to Israel is vital, because Israel security is an imperative for America’s security," Pelosi said in Washington.
The Defense News website reported that Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. It received 1.65 billion for Iron Dome through 2020. President Biden ignored calls from progressive Democrats, and took action for the passage of the bill for the supply of Iron Dome interceptors.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, said on the House floor that "We cannot be talking only about Israelis' need for safety at a time when Palestinians are living under a violent apartheid system and are dying from what Human Rights Watch has said are war crimes."
The bill now goes to the Senate for approval. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said that he has no doubt that the bill will be passed. "Iron Dome is very important and it’ll get done," Schumer said.
The House approved the budget for acquisition of Iron Dome interceptors after a political struggle over the American debt ceiling. The interceptors will be manufactured mostly by Raytheon in the US
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The U.S. House of Representatives approved $1 billion worth of funding to enable Israel to replenish its stock of Iron Dome interceptors. Following delays, the bill was passed 420-9, with eight Democrats and one Republican voting "no", and two Democrats voting "present".
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote that she would support the bill and the agreement that was signed with Israel in 2016 that calls for $500 million in annual funding of Iron Dome. "Passage of this bill reflects the great unity, in Congress on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, for Israel. Security assistance to Israel is vital, because Israel security is an imperative for America’s security," Pelosi said in Washington.
The Defense News website reported that Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. It received 1.65 billion for Iron Dome through 2020. President Biden ignored calls from progressive Democrats, and took action for the passage of the bill for the supply of Iron Dome interceptors.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, said on the House floor that "We cannot be talking only about Israelis' need for safety at a time when Palestinians are living under a violent apartheid system and are dying from what Human Rights Watch has said are war crimes."
The bill now goes to the Senate for approval. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said that he has no doubt that the bill will be passed. "Iron Dome is very important and it’ll get done," Schumer said.
