Despite White House objections, Congress approved the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act to include an additional $705 million for joint US-Israel missile defense needs, by tapping the Overseas Contingency Operations budget for the aid increase, a fund that was meant for US wartime readiness.
WASHINGTON — Congress appears to have bucked the Trump administration this week by passing hundreds of millions of dollars in missile defense aid for Israel likely using funds historically reserved for current US wartime operations.
Arrow missile defense system. – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
The White House made clear over the summer that it was not opposed to the amount of aid proposed by Congress for Israel, but rather the vehicle for its delivery– an unprecedented use of dollars typically saved for US military readiness. Continue Reading »
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