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Congress wants return on $1.5 billion investment in Israel missile shield

US taxpayers fork over millions of dollars every year for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. As worldwide threats grow, Congress wants deployed US troops to reap the benefits.
Israeli soldiers walk past an Iron Dome rocket interceptor battery deployed near central Gaza Strip, southern Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC173427FF50

American taxpayers have spent more than $1.5 billion on Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system since 2011. Now Congress thinks it’s high time the technology benefits the United States.

The House Armed Services Committee voted 60-1 Wednesday to advance an annual defense bill that authorizes $30 million for the US Army to acquire Iron Dome hardware and test its interoperability with existing US missile defense systems for the first time. Congress has allocated $92 million in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome system this year, up from $62 million in 2017.

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