Roskam and Meng Secure Boost for U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Systems
Press Release
This week, Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, secured increased aid for cooperative U.S.-Israel missile defense systems including Iron Dome, Arrow, Arrow 3, and David's Sling.
The boost in funding was added to Defense Appropriations Bill after Meng and Roskam sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense urging that more U.S. dollars be allocated for the programs. The legislation, which passed the House yesterday by a vote of 278-149, includes: $55 million for the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, $146.1 million for the Arrow Weapon System ($60.6 million over the President's budget request), and $286.5 million for the David's Sling Weapon System ($249.8 million over the President's budget request).
"A robust missile defense infrastructure is vital to the safety and security of our ally Israel," said Congressman Roskam. "In just a few short years, Iron Dome alone has proven highly effective in saving countless innocent lives and preventing further conflict escalation. These programs, which are coproduced in the United States, also yield a tremendous return on investment in the form of American jobs and advanced military technology. I want to thank Congresswoman Meng for her tireless work on this issue, and Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky for their continued bipartisan support of these important missile defense systems."
"Israel remains under constant threat from Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah," said Congresswoman Meng. "We must continue to stand by our friend and ally and ensure that the Jewish state has the resources it needs to defend itself. I thank Congressman Roskam for partnering with me on this important effort, and I thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Subcommittee for granting our request and moving forward with this critical funding. The Senate should now act swiftly to pass the Defense Appropriations Bill as well."
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