House Passes $1 Billion in Iron Dome Funding

The House of Representatives passed a standalone bill allocating $1 billion in Iron Dome funding on September 23.

The final vote was 420 in favor and 9 against, with two members voting present. Those who voted no included Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Andre Carson (D-IN) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) voted present. Jewish Insider Capitol Hill Reporter Marc Rod tweeted that after her vote, Ocasio-Cortez appeared “to be crying on the House floor, in a hug with Rep. Primila Jayapal.”

Final count on Iron Dome: 420 yes, 9 no, 2 present.
No's: Tlaib, Carson, Omar, Massie, Newman, Pressley, Garcia, Grijalva, Bush
Present: Hank Johnson and Ocasio-Cortez

— Marc Rod (@marcrod97) September 23, 2021

Ocasio-Cortez, who changed her vote from no to present on Iron Dome at the last minute appears visibly upset. Appears to be crying on the House floor, in a hug with Rep. Jayapal

— Marc Rod (@marcrod97) September 23, 2021

Israeli Ambassador to the United States and United Nations Gilad Erdan thanked House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-NY), Representative Rose DeLauro (D-CT) and others for voting “in favor of supporting Israel’s security & our strong alliance. The overwhelming bipartisan support of the Iron Dome legislation sends a clear message that America stands w/ Israel on fighting terror.”

Thank you to @LeaderHoyer, @rosadelauro & the Representatives who voted in favor of supporting Israel's security & our strong alliance. The overwhelming bipartisan support of the Iron Dome legislation sends a clear message that America stands w/ Israel on fighting terror. https://t.co/eKN2YHUAIV

— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) September 23, 2021

Christians United for Israel Founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee said in a statement, “The House of Representatives has spoken, and the message is clear: the American people stand with Israel. Those who would seek to deny Israel the means to protect her citizens from terror were resoundingly defeated today. The overwhelming and bipartisan vote backing US support for the Iron Dome system further proves that only the furthest radical fringe in this country is anti-Israel.”

AIPAC similarly said in a statement, “This vote reinforces the solid bipartisan consensus in support of Israel’s security & repudiates efforts by those in Congress who are pursuing a dangerous agenda to undermine the US-Israel relationship, weaken Israel’s security & place Israeli & Palestinian lives at greater risk.”

THREAD: By a vote of 420 to 9, the House of Representatives approved $1 billion in supplemental funding for Israel’s #IronDome missile defense system.

AIPAC appreciates the Democratic and Republican leadership for ensuring passage of this critical funding. pic.twitter.com/MZH8OM2Nss

— AIPAC (@AIPAC) September 23, 2021

The American Jewish Committee tweeted, “We thank all 420 members of the House who voted to replenish the Iron Dome system, which protects innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives every day, and reaffirm the vital U.S.-Israel alliance.”

We thank all 420 members of the House who voted to replenish the Iron Dome system, which protects innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives every day, and reaffirm the vital U.S.-Israel alliance. 🇺🇸🇮🇱

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) September 23, 2021

Democratic Majority for Israel President and CEO Mark Mellman said in statement, “While a small handful of anti-Israel lawmakers sought to strip these vital funds from an earlier bill, Democratic leadership and the vast majority of House Democrats quickly voiced their support for Israel’s right to defend itself and vowed to replenish Iron Dome by passing a standalone funding bill.

“Iron Dome, co-developed by the United States and Israel, is used to protect all Israelis — Jewish and Arab alike — from incoming missile attacks. By ensuring this purely defensive and life-saving system remains capable of neutralizing rocket threats, the U.S. helps disincentivize terrorists in Gaza and throughout the region.”

The vote came after progressive members of the House refused to vote for a government funding stopgap bill if it included the Iron Dome funding, prompting the September 23 vote on the standalone bill.