GOP introduces its own Iron Dome bill for Israel

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Republicans would introduce their own legislation to provide emergency funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

“Republicans are united in support of our ally Israel,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Thursday. “We can help Israel defend its civilian population against indiscriminate attacks.”

{mosads}The Pentagon requested $225 million in emergency funding to keep up with the demand Israel has for Iron Dome missiles, which the country uses to deflect rockets fired by Hamas.

“We have legislation that would allow Congress to meet the [Defense] Secretary’s request,” McConnell said. “And we hope our friends on the other side will join us in coming to a sensible, bipartisan solution that can be passed quickly.”

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) introduced an emergency spending bill on Wednesday that included funding for the border crisis, Israel’s Iron Dome defense system and wildfire relief. 

Republicans have pushed back against the border funding proposal and criticized Democrats for pairing it with Israel’s Iron Dome, which they do support.

Israel has come under heavy fire from Hamas rockets and has launched a ground offensive in Gaza to destroy tunnels used by Hamas.