II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2325 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 19, 2012 Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Kirk) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.

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Short title

This Act may be cited as the Iron Dome Support Act.

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Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)The State of Israel remains vulnerable to 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. Past attacks have killed, wounded, or inflicted psychological trauma on countless Israeli citizens. (2)The United States Government remains committed to ensuring the Government of Israel's qualitative military edge, including maintaining its advantage over non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas who possess increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons as a result of support from Iran, Syria, and other state actors. (3)The Israeli Defense Forces recently reported that the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has achieved a success rate of more than 90 percent, intercepting rockets bound for residential neighborhoods, busy road junctions, shopping centers, and crowded streets in southern Israel. (4)The high success rate of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has helped avert significant Israeli casualties. (5)The United States can help to advance its own vital national security interests and the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East by supporting Israel's ability to defend itself against missiles, rockets, and other threats. (6)In 2010, President Barack Obama requested funds to help the State of Israel procure and maintain Iron Dome missile batteries. Congress then provided funding for the purchase of up to 10 Iron Dome systems. (7)The Government of Israel currently has three operational Iron Dome batteries deployed in the field, which are insufficient to protect all of the territory of Israel.

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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 for the procurement, maintenance, and sustainment of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles launched against Israel.