[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3451 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3451

   To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile 
                            defense system.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 May 27 (legislative day, May 26), 2010

  Mrs. Boxer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile 
                            defense system.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Israel Rocket and 
Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Jewish State of Israel, as a close and 
        indispensable ally of the United States, with whom the United 
        States enjoys mutually beneficial military, intelligence, 
        homeland security, scientific, technological, and other 
        cooperation, deserves all necessary assistance to defend itself 
        and its citizens from the many threats that it continues to 
        face.
            (2) The State of Israel has been under grave threat and 
        frequent attack from missiles, rockets, and mortar shells fired 
        at Israeli civilian targets by militants from the Foreign 
        Terrorist Organization Hamas on its southern border and by the 
        Foreign Terrorist Organization Hezbollah on its northern 
        border, which have killed, wounded, or inflicted psychological 
        trauma on countless Israelis.
            (3) The United States remains committed to Israel's 
        qualitative military edge, including its advantage over non-
        state actors such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which boast 
        increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons as a result of 
        support from Iran, Syria, and other state actors.
            (4) Regional stability and lasting peace between Israel and 
        the Palestinians requires that the Government of Israel can 
        ensure the safety of its population against rocket, missile, 
        and other threats.
            (5) The United States Government can help to advance its 
        own vital national security interests and the cause of peace by 
        supporting Israel's ability to defend itself against rocket, 
        missile, and other threats.
            (6) The Government of Israel announced in January 2010 the 
        successful testing of its Iron Dome Short Range Artillery 
        Rocket Defense System, which is designed to intercept short-
        range rockets, missiles, and mortars launched by militants in 
        Gaza and southern Lebanon.
            (7) In the face of threats from its neighbors and non-state 
        actors, Israel historically has sought the means to defend 
        itself, by itself.
            (8) President Barack Obama has stated: ``Our commitment to 
        Israel's security is unshakable.''.
            (9) Vice President Joe Biden has stated: ``From my 
        experience, the one precondition for progress is that the rest 
        of the world knows this--there is no space between the U.S. and 
        Israel when it comes to security--none.''.
            (10) Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has stated: 
        ``President Obama has affirmed, the United States commitment to 
        Israel's security is unshakable, and our defense relationship 
        is stronger than ever, to the mutual benefit of both 
        nations.''.
            (11) President Obama recently requested funds to help the 
        State of Israel procure and maintain Iron Dome missile 
        batteries.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL FOR IRON DOME ANTI-
              MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

    The President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance to the 
Government of Israel for the procurement, maintenance, and sustainment 
of the Iron Dome Short Range Artillery Rocket Defense System for 
purposes of intercepting short-range rockets, missiles, and mortars 
launched against Israel.
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