"Iron Dome is a game changer," Berman said. "The threats Israel faces from incoming, indiscriminate terrorist rocket attacks are countered by this cutting edge anti-missile system. Iron Dome is fundamentally shifting political, diplomatic and military realities on the ground, while saving lives of innocent Israelis. Today's statement is a further step in the right direction."
Republican Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had complained in a February letter to Obama that his "record low" budget request jeopardized Israel's security. The letter failed to take into account the billions in military assistance for Israel that Obama had asked Congress to provide.
In a statement Tuesday, McKeon said he was "pleased that the president now acknowledges the need to increase funding to counter a deadly threat."
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Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Canada contributed to this report.
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