RELEASE: Bipartisan Group of 87 House Members Urge President to Support Investment for Iron Dome Missile Defense System to Protect Israeli and Palestinian Lives

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of 87 Members of Congress urged President Joe Biden to support investment for the Iron Dome missile defense system, to protect Israeli and Palestinian lives. In a recent letter, the bipartisan group urged the President to request that Congress include supplemental Iron Dome funding in an appropriations bill before the end of the year. 

“We are writing to urge that you specifically request that Congress include supplemental funding for Israel’s Iron Dome in an appropriations bill enacted before the year’s end – including in any anomalies you may request to a new continuing resolution,” the Members wrote to President Biden. “Replenishing Israel’s stock of Iron Dome interceptors and expanding its missile defense system is a critical investment that will protect both Israeli and Palestinian lives and homes, as well as America’s national security interests.”

The full signatory list of 87 Members includes Josh Gottheimer, Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Colin Allred, Jake Auchincloss, Don Bacon, Suzanne Bonamici, Carolyn Bourdeaux, Brendan F. Boyle, Anthony G. Brown, Shontel M. Brown, Julia Brownley, Matt Cartwright, David N. Cicilline, Emanuel Cleaver, J. Luis Correa, Jim Costa, Angie Craig, Henry Cuellar, Sharice L. Davids, Madeleine Dean, Suzan K. DelBene, Val B. Demings, Anna G. Eshoo, Lizzie Fletcher, Andrew R. Garbarino, Jared Golden, Anthony Gonzalez, Vicente Gonzalez, Josh Harder, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Brian Higgins, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Chrissy Houlahan, Hakeem Jeffries, Bill Johnson, Mondaire Jones, David P. Joyce, Kaialiʻi Kahele, John Katko, Robin L. Kelly, Ro Khanna, Derek Kilmer, Andy Kim, Ron Kind, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Conor Lamb, James R. Langevin, John B. Larson, Al Lawson, Susie Lee, Ted W. Lieu, Elaine G. Luria, Tom Malinowski, Carolyn B. Maloney, Kathy Manning, Stephanie Murphy, Donald Norcross, Tom O’Halleran, Frank Pallone, Jr., Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, Dean Phillips, Kathleen M. Rice, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Tim Ryan, John P. Sarbanes, Bradley S. Schneider, Kurt Schrader, Kim Schrier, M.D., Brad Sherman, Mikie Sherrill, Albio Sires, Elissa Slotkin, Darren Soto, Abigail D. Spanberger, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Thomas R. Suozzi, Dina Titus, Paul D. Tonko, Ritchie Torres, David Trone, Fred Upton, Juan Vargas, and Susan Wild.  

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

November 24, 2021 

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

With the looming December 3, 2021 appropriations deadline fast approaching, we are writing to urge that you specifically request that Congress include supplemental funding for Israel’s Iron Dome in an appropriations bill enacted before the year’s end – including in any anomalies you may request to a new continuing resolution. Replenishing Israel’s stock of Iron Dome interceptors and expanding its missile defense system is a critical investment that will protect both Israeli and Palestinian lives and homes, as well as America’s national security interests.

After terrorists in Gaza fired more than 4,000 rockets at civilians in Israel over just 11 days, the House of Representatives passed the Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations (H.R.5323) by an overwhelming bipartisan margin. This critical legislation would replenish Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile batteries. Unfortunately, Senator Rand Paul has blocked the bill from coming to the Senate floor, jeopardizing civilian lives and the security of our key ally Israel in its time of need.

Although the attacks from Gaza may have halted for now, we remain clear-eyed about the threats Israel continues to face, not only from terrorists in Gaza, but also from other terrorist organizations along its northern border. We must ensure that the Iron Dome is equipped to protect Israel without the risk that it could be overwhelmed, or its stockpile of interceptors depleted. Israel must always have the resources it needs to defend itself from incoming terrorist rockets.

We are grateful that you have stated clearly that you support Israel’s Iron Dome supplemental request but ask that you also include this life-saving funding in any appropriations anomalies you request from Congress. Please know that Congress stands with your Administration in its commitment to ensure Israel’s peace, security, and capability to defend itself from any attack.

Sincerely,

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

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