House Democrats introduce $1 billion funding bill for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system

House Democrats have introduced a stand-alone bill to provide $1 billion in funding for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.

This bill comes one day after Democrats stripped Iron Dome funding from a short-term spending bill under pressure from the party's progressive wing.

Following backlash to the defunding from moderate Democrats and Republican attacks on the party as "anti-Israel," House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced the new bill Wednesday night.

"The United States' commitment to the security of our friend and ally Israel is ironclad," DeLauro said in a statement. "Replenishing interceptors used to protect Israel from attacks is our legal and moral responsibility.

"While this funding would ordinarily be included in a year-end spending package, we are advancing this legislation now to demonstrate Congress' bipartisan commitment to Israel's security as part of a Middle East with lasting peace," she added.  

The funding is intended to replace any missile interceptors damaged during the latest flare up of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. 

The U.S. has already provided more than $1.6 billion for Israel to develop and build the Iron Dome system, according to a Congressional Research Service report last year.

House Majority Whip, Steny Hoyer, said he would bring the bill up for a vote later this week.