According to reports, House Democrats have removed a provision to provide Israel with $1 billion for its Iron Dome defense system from the ongoing resolution to avoid a government shutdown beyond September 30.
The legislative block is reportedly being spearheaded by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), members of the so-called “Squad.”
“[House Democrats’] funding bill hit a last-minute snag after a group of House progressives revolted over the funding it would’ve provided for the Pentagon to help replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system,” reported Politico. “Democratic leaders stripped that provision from the measure just minutes before a procedural vote after pushback from their left flank.”
Politico added that, according to an Appropriations Committee spokesperson, the Iron Dome funding will instead be included in the annual defense bill.
According to the Daily Mail, those who opposed the funding for the defensive Iron Dome system “includes progressive Democrats who signed a resolution in May aimed at blocking a $735 [million] weapons sale to Israel during deadly violence between Israel and Hamas.”
Senator Ted Cruz described the move as “tragic.”
“Dem leadership surrenders to the anti-Semitic Left,” he tweeted. “They hate Israel so much that Dems are stripping $1 BILLION in funding for Iron Dome—a purely defensive system that protects countless innocent civilians from Hamas rockets.”
“Will any Dems have the courage to denounce?” he asked.
Tragic. Dem leadership surrenders to the anti-Semitic Left.
They hate Israel so much that Dems are stripping $1 BILLION in funding for Iron Dome—a purely defensive system that protects countless innocent civilians from Hamas rockets.
Will any Dems have the courage to denounce? https://t.co/2TzLw7uR96
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 21, 2021
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted, “Democrats just pulled funding from the Iron Dome—the missile defense system that has saved countless lives in Israel from Hamas’ rocket attacks.”
“While Dems capitulate to the antisemitic influence of their radical members, Republicans will always stand with Israel,” he added.
BREAKING → Democrats just pulled funding from the Iron Dome—the missile defense system that has saved countless lives in Israel from Hamas' rocket attacks.
While Dems capitulate to the antisemitic influence of their radical members, Republicans will always stand with Israel.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) September 21, 2021
“Why did the Democrats just strip out funding to support Israel’s Iron Dome?” asked Senator Tom Cotton. “Because the Iron Dome works.”
“For Ilhan Omar and the left, saving Israeli lives from terror attacks is unacceptable,” he added.
Why did the Democrats just strip out funding to support Israel's Iron Dome?
Because the Iron Dome works.
For Ilhan Omar and the left, saving Israeli lives from terror attacks is unacceptable.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) September 21, 2021
“Some House Democrats hate Israel so much that they’re refusing to pass their own spending bill if it includes funding for the Iron Dome—which protects our ally from terrorists,” tweeted House Republican Whip Steve Scalise. “This is how radical they’ve become.”
🚨🚨 Some House Democrats hate Israel so much that they're refusing to pass their own spending bill if it includes funding for the Iron Dome—which protects our ally from terrorists.
This is how radical they’ve become.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) September 21, 2021
“Iron Dome is a defensive system used by one of our closest allies to save civilian lives. It needs to be replenished because thousands of rockets were fired by the Hamas terrorists who control Gaza,” tweeted Rep. Ted Deutch. “Consider this my pushing back against this decision.”
Iron Dome is a defensive system used by one of our closest allies to save civilian lives. It needs to be replenished because thousands of rockets were fired by the Hamas terrorists who control Gaza.
Consider this my pushing back against this decision. https://t.co/SbyLgzYbGV
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) September 21, 2021
“Democrats don’t support the Iron Dome anymore. Does that mean they want rockets to hit civilians? This party gets more radical by the day,” noted Rep. August Pfluger.
Democrats don't support the Iron Dome anymore. Does that mean they want rockets to hit civilians? This party gets more radical by the day. https://t.co/8W7HRWZaMv
— Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) September 21, 2021
“The Iron Dome protects innocent civilians in Israel from terrorist attacks and some of my colleagues have now blocked funding it,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer. “We must stand by our historic ally — the only democracy in the a Middle East.”
The Iron Dome protects innocent civilians in Israel from terrorist attacks and some of my colleagues have now blocked funding it.
We must stand by our historic ally — the only democracy in the a Middle East. https://t.co/otHSzlvYLp
— Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) September 21, 2021
“Progressives ‘win’ by stripping funding provision for Iron Dome, which has saved countless innocent lives from terrorist rockets in Israel, and is 100% defensive,” said Townhall.com’s Political Editor, Guy Benson. “Pelosi caved. Disturbing and instructive.”
Progressives “win” by stripping funding provision for Iron Dome, which has saved countless innocent lives from terrorist rockets in Israel, and is 100% defensive. Pelosi caved. Disturbing and instructive. https://t.co/hwfAC7nsTr
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 21, 2021