US congress approves more military aid for Israel

American legislators from both sides of the isle have lauded the decision by Congress to provide more support to boost Israel's missile shield capabilities.

In a joint statement released Friday, Congressman Peter Roskam, co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, and Congresswoman Grace Meng, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, expressed their satisfaction at the increased aid for cooperative US-Israel missile systems.

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 funds be allocated for the programs.

The legislation, which passed a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday by 278-149, includes: $55 million for the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, which guards against short-range rockets and mortars $146.1 million for the Arrow Weapon System, which protects against long-range Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) $286.5 million for the David’s Sling Weapon System, designed to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles.

​The latter two budgets represent an increase of $60.6 million and $249.8 million over the President's budget request respectively.