I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4229 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 21, 2012 Mr. Berman (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Cicilline, and Ms. Buerkle) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.

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Short title

This Act may be cited as the Iron Dome Support Act.

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Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The State of Israel remains under grave threat and frequent attack from missiles, rockets, and mortar shells fired at Israeli civilian targets by militants from the Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas on its southern border and by the Foreign Terrorist Organization Hezbollah on its northern border, which have killed, wounded, or inflicted psychological trauma on countless Israelis. (2)The United States remains committed to Israel’s qualitative military edge, including its advantage over non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which boast increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons as a result of support from Iran, Syria, and other state actors. (3)The Israeli Defense Forces report that the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has achieved a success rate of more than 90 percent, intercepting rockets bound for residential neighborhoods, busy road junctions, shopping centers, and crowded streets in southern Israel. (4)The recent success of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system averted massive Israeli casualties, thereby eliminating Israel’s need to conduct a ground-based attack against Gaza-based terrorists, enhancing Israel’s operational flexibility, and preventing terrorists from plunging the region into crisis whenever they choose. (5)The United States can help to advance its own vital national security interests and the cause of Middle Eastern peace and stability by supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself against missiles, rockets, and other threats. (6)In 2010, President Obama requested funds to help the State of Israel procure and maintain Iron Dome missile batteries. The House of Representatives then overwhelmingly passed the United States-Israel Rocket and Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act. (7)The Government of Israel currently has three operational Iron Dome batteries deployed in the field, which are far from sufficient to protect all of Israel’s territory.

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Authorization of assistance to Israel for Iron Dome anti-missile defense system

The President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance, upon request by 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.