Military sales credits of up to $300 million and supporting assistance of an additional $50 million for Israel appeared assured today in the legislation for assistance to foreign countries for the remainder of the current fiscal year which ends June 30. Differences in the bill adopted by the Senate late Friday and the measure voted by the House last Dec. are to be worked out in the Senate-House conference committee.
The Senate bill does not explicitly mention the $300 million for Israel but this figure is included in the authorization measure already adopted by both houses and it is understood that there is no doubt about that fund being available for Israel once the appropriation measure is adopted. The $50 million in supporting economic aid is included specifically in both the Senate and House bills.
The conference committee to which the House members will be named within the next few days is not expected to go into session until after the Lincoln Day recess of the Congress which begins Feb. 9. Congress returns Feb. 16. The Agency For International Development for which the funds are being voted is currently operating under a continuing resolution which expires Feb. 22. Thus, less than a week will be available for Congress to complete the bill and the President to sign it into law.
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