Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of critical legislation to support our key ally Israel on the Iron Dome technology we worked with them to develop.

For 73 years, the United States and Israel have fostered and strengthened a remarkable relationship rooted in our shared values of freedom and democracy.

We continue to see those values attacked today.

Israel's national security is key to America's national security and to our fight against terror.

Earlier this year, terrorists in Gaza including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic jihad fired more than 4,500 rockets at innocent civilians in Israel in just 11 days.

We thank God each day for the Iron Dome, which intercepted 90 percent of the incoming rockets, saving countless lives.

Unfortunately, some of my colleagues recently used support for this defense system as a political football. They threatened to shut down the Federal Government, putting at risk hurricane disaster relief and help for Afghan refugees, all over support for Iron Dome. It was outrageous, but now we have a chance to act.

Let's pass this bill, support Iron Dome, and continue our historic, bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. The Senate should then immediately take up this standalone measure and not let it get bogged down in the ongoing debt ceiling and continuing resolution debate.

Mr. Speaker, we must protect our ally, the only democracy in the Middle East. Our national security is on the line.

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