US Senate OKs $225 million in aid for Israeli Iron Dome system
Lawmakers reach agreement to pass measure after Senate Republicans previously blocked bid to fund missile defense.
By REUTERSSenate Majority Leader Reid speaking in Senate 370(photo credit: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)
The US Senate unanimously passed legislation on Friday to provide $225 million in emergency funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.An earlier version of the funding plan had failed on Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a broader spending bill that was largely intended to provide money to handle the current immigration crisis at the US-Mexico border.But lawmakers reached an agreement overnight to pass the missile funding measure.The funding plan still needs to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Barack Obama, before it can become law. Given US lawmakers' traditionally strong support for Israel, it is not expected to encounter significant resistance in the House.
