H.R. 5327 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA) on May 18, 2010.
H.R. 5327 would authorize the President to provide assistance to the Government of Israel for the procurement, maintenance, and sustainment of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles launched against Israel.
Israel is under threat and frequent attack from missiles fired by Hamas terrorists on its southern border and Hezbollah terrorists on its northern border. Israel, a close ally of the U.S., requires assistance to defend itself from such indiscriminate attacks on its citizens.
Israel announced in January 2010 the successful testing of its Iron Dome anti-missile defense system which is capable of intercepting short-range missiles launched by militants in Gaza and South Lebanon. The Iron Dome system is made in Israel and uses small cameras and radars are used to track and shoot down rockets that are capable of traveling 3 to 45 miles.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet prepared a cost estimate for H.R. 5327, but President Obama recently requested $205 million to help the Israel procure and maintain Iron Dome missile batteries.
