Measure includes funding for Iron Dome and a robust security aid package for Israel

Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2022) — Following last night’s passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, which will fund the government through Fiscal Year 2022, Mark Mellman, President and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, released the following statement:

“Congress’ passage of the bipartisan and bicameral appropriations omnibus will help improve the lives of all Americans at home while also addressing urgent issues abroad. Importantly, the measure includes vital funding to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system that was depleted after the May conflict when Hamas fired more than 4,500 rockets at Israeli civilians, a robust security aid package to Israel as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, and passage of the Israel Normalization Act, which will expand the Abraham Accords,” said Mark Mellman.

“This historic congressional funding agreement demonstrates once again that Democrats stand with Israel, support its security, and embrace Israel’s efforts to expand diplomatic relations with Arab states. We commend Democratic leaders in Congress for reaching this historic funding agreement, and we thank President Biden for his support for this critical legislation,” added Mellman.

In September, the House of Representatives — including 95% of House Democrats — passed critically needed Iron Dome funding on a bipartisan basis. But for 157 days it was inexplicably held up by Republican Senator Rand Paul. Shortly after Senator Paul began blocking Iron Dome funding, Democratic Majority for Israel mobilized grassroots supporters to demand that Senator Paul and his Republican colleagues allow the bill to come to the floor, including hundreds of letters sent to Senator Paul’s office and a daily social media campaign.

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