(JNS.org) The U.S. Senate on Friday, Aug. 1 passed $225 million in emergency funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. The Senate initially blocked the funding on Thursday amid disputes between Republicans and Democrats over the federal budget deficit. The Pentagon-requested Iron Dome funding had drawn scrutiny due to its inclusion as part of a $2.7 billion border aid package comprising items unrelated to Israel, including $615 million to fight Western wildfires. On the Senate floor Thursday, some Republicans blocked the Iron Dome proposal over concerns that it would increase U.S. debt. The Republicans wanted the aid for Israel to be separate from the larger border spending bill, Politico reported.