The US Congress has authorized $284 million to fund Israel’s missile systems program, triple the amount the Obama administration had requested.
The bill, introduced jointly by the House of Representatives and Senate budget committees, includes $33.7 million to improve the Arrow Weapon System, $117 million for the Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense Program and $22 million for development of the Arrow-3 upper-tier interceptor, according to Business Week.
The measure comes as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2014.
Separately, the House on Wednesday passed 399-0 a bill that would enhance the US commitment to Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region, the JTA news agency reported.
Additionally, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would create a strategic energy partnership between Israel and the United States, JTA said.
The House moves to increase US aid to Israel even as the United States is struggling with domestic economic issues and safety net programs like food stamps and unemployment benefits are being cut or reduced.
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) have introduced a similar bill in the Senate.
The new aid package is in addition to the $3.1 billion in military assistance that Washington provides to the Zionist regime annually.
The military aid package to the Israeli regime is one of the few budget deals for which the majority of US Democratic and Republican lawmakers are in agreement.
A great majority of members of US Congress receive funds and perks from powerful pro-Israeli lobby groups. All new members of Congress are offered an all-paid visit to Israel to receive top-level briefings on the regime’s “security needs and concerns.”
AHT/HJ
This article was originally published at PRESS TV
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