Congress Includes $4B for Missile Defense in Short-term Spending

Congress on Friday passed a short-term spending bill to fund the government through the end of the year, including $4 billion for missile defense projects, Defense One reports.

Will be signing the biggest ever Tax Cut and Reform Bill in 30 minutes in Oval Office. Will also be signing a much needed 4 billion dollar missile defense bill.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2017

“We are ordering $4 billion worth of missile defense equipment and missiles themselves.  Very important,” President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office. “Top of the line. Best in the world. We make the best military product in the world, and nobody is even close.”

The money will go towards additional missile interceptors in Alaska to protect against a potential attack from North Korea, and towards more THAAD tactical missile interceptors.

Trump first requested the $4 billion in November, according to Reuters.

“This request supports additional efforts to detect, defeat, and defend against any North Korean use of ballistic missiles against the United States, its deployed forces, allies, or partners,” Trump told Congress in a letter.

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