NATION
Rand Paul obstructs quick vote on Iron Dome funding their darkest hour and it would betray the American people’s commitment to supporting our Afghan allies.” WASHINGTON (JTA)—Republican Sen. Menendez has said he will continue Rand Paul blocked an expedited vote to to attempt to bring the vote through approve $1 billion in funding to replenish unanimous consent. If Paul continues Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system to block unanimous consent, it may be and received swift criticism from an array weeks before the funding, which the of pro-Israel groups. Biden administration favors, is approved. Sen. Robert Menendez, the Democratic The U.S. House of Representatives Relations Foreign Senate the chairman of last month overwhelmingly approved the Committee, launched a bid Monday, funding, which Israel has asked for to October 5 to pass the bill by unanimous replenish Iron Dome batteries depleted consent, a procedure that accelerates pasduring the Gaza conflict in May. The debate. sage by minimizing money is in addition to the $500 million Paul objected, saying he wanted the Israel gets annually to fund Iron Dome. funding to come out of money earmarked Prior to the vote, objections to the to assist Afghanistan as it recovers from by a handful of progressives funding years of war. roiled Congress and “I support Israel. led to a debate over I voted for hundreds defense assistance of millions of dolto Israel. Iron lars to support The Christians Dome. I am glad United for Israel the United States “strongly group has a strong bond Paul’s condemned” But with Israel. decision in a statethe United States ment. The American cannot give money in funding Israel Public Affairs it does not have, no the Committee, strong matter how to be approved powerhouse pro-Isour relationship is,” to replenish rael lobby, chastised he said. Paul on Twitter, said Paul Israel’s Iron Dome likening him to the the he believes “Squad,” the small aid Afghanistan anti-missile system progressive faction money will end up that opposed the with the Taliban, funding—and who assumed which Republicans revile. control of the “Their objections country in August, to funding Iron ending a 20-year Dome undermine Israel’s security, cost U.S.-led military presence there. innocent lives, make war more likely, and Menendez said the money does not go embolden Iran-backed terrorists,” AIPAC to the Taliban, but to the people affected said, grouping Paul with Reps. Alexandria by the war it waged for decades. Ocasio-Cortez, who voted “present” on would amendment “Sen. Paul’s the funding, and Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan actually raid the funding that delivers Omar, and Thomas Massie, who voted lifesaving humanitarian aid to the Afghan “no.” Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Omar are people and they need it more than ever,” members of the “Squad,” and Massie was amendment Paul’s Sen. he said. “In short, the lone GOP vote against the funding. would undermine national security, it would abandon the Afghan people in Ron Kampeas
$1 billion
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