Burlington County Times. By David Levinsky

Lawmakers in Congress approved a $610 billion defense policy bill early Thursday that would once again block the Pentagon from moving forward with its request to begin preparations for a new round of base closures...

New Jersey Reps. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd of Toms River, and Donald Norcross, D-1st of Camden, teamed on the BRAC language to protect Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey’s second-largest employer.

MacArthur and Norcross also championed an amendment to authorize $25 million for research and testing of so-called “directed energy” laser systems for ballistic missile defenses.

“This latest action solidifies our long-standing partnership with Israel, and advances a shared agreement to defeat threats to the United States and our strongest ally in the Middle East,” Norcross said Thursday...

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