Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) is demanding a full accounting from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of how much ammunition reserve is available for Israel following concerning reports that the stockpile may be running low after the Biden administration used it to support the war in Ukraine.
The congressman wrote,“As Israel continues to defend itself from Hamas and other regional terrorist groups under the sponsorship of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is imperative to the United States’ national security interests that Israel has the tools it needs to win and deter their adversaries.”
According to reports, the Biden administration transferred hundreds of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells from War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel (WRSA-I) to Ukraine earlier this year. However, the United States is supposed to store mission-essential defense articles in WRSA-I that the administration can make rapidly available for Israel in emergencies.
“As you are aware, 10 USC 2229a requires an annual report to Congress on the prepositioned materiel and equipment in various U.S. stockpiles. It is unclear whether this reporting requirement has been consistently applied to WRSA. I request an assessment, either in public or classified form, of the current inventory of weapons in the WRSA-I to assist Congress’ ability to properly advance legislation in support of Israel.”Representative Roy said.
Read full text of the letter here.
