[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 938 Engrossed in House (EH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 938
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To strengthen the strategic alliance between the United States and
Israel, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United States-
Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Declaration of policy.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Sec. 101. Amendments to the United States-Israel Enhanced Security
Cooperation Act of 2012.
Sec. 102. Authorization of assistance for Israel.
Sec. 103. United States-Israel cooperation on cyber-security.
Sec. 104. Statement of United States Policy Regarding Israel's defense
systems.
Sec. 105. Report on other matters.
Sec. 106. Statement of policy.
Sec. 107. Sense of Congress.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION
Sec. 201. United States-Israel energy cooperation.
TITLE III--OFFSET
Sec. 301. Offset.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The turmoil in the Middle East poses a serious threat
to United States national security interests and requires
cooperation with allies that are willing to work with the
United States in pursuit of shared objectives.
(2) The October 31, 1998, Memorandum of Agreement signed by
President Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu commits the
United States to working jointly with Israel towards enhancing
Israel's defensive and deterrent capabilities and upgrading the
framework of the United States-Israel strategic and military
relationships, as well as the technological cooperation between
both countries.
(3) On August 16, 2007, the United States and Israel signed
a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming United States
commitment to the security of Israel and establishing a 10-year
framework for incremental increases in United States military
assistance to Israel.
(4) The Memorandum of Understanding signed two years later
on January 16, 2009 reaffirmed the United States commitment and
noted ``the security, military and intelligence cooperation
between the United States and Israel''.
(5) The United States and Israel conduct a semi-annual
Strategic Dialogue. The Department of State, in a statement
following the July 12, 2012, meeting of the Strategic Dialogue,
noted that the discussions focused on such issues of mutual
concern as ``Iran's continued quest to develop nuclear weapons,
which the United States and Israel are both determined to
prevent'' and ``how the continued violence of the Syrian regime
against its citizens [assisted by Iran and Hezbollah] could
also lead to severe consequences for the entire region''.
SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Congress declares that Israel is a major strategic partner of the
United States.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY
COOPERATION ACT OF 2012.
(a) United States Actions To Assist in the Defense of Israel and
Protect United States Interests.--Section 4 of the United States-Israel
Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-150; 22
U.S.C. 8603) is amended--
(1) by striking ``It is the sense of Congress that the
United States Government should'' and inserting ``(a) In
General.--The President should, to the maximum extent
practicable,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, the President shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation of this section.''.
(b) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--Section 5(a) of
the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012
(Public Law 112-150) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--
``(1) Department of defense appropriations act, 2005.--
Section 12001(d) of the Department of Defense Appropriations
Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011), is amended by
striking `more than 10 years after' and inserting `more than 11
years after'.
``(2) Foreign assistance act of 1961.--Section 514(b)(2)(A)
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2321h(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking `and 2014' and inserting
`, 2014, and 2015'.''.
(c) Amendments to Requirements Relating to Assessment of Israel's
Qualitative Military Edge Over Military Threats.--
(1) Assessment required; reports.--Section 201 of Public
Law 110-429 (122 Stat. 4843; 22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``an ongoing
basis'' and inserting ``a biennial basis''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(2)--
(i) in the heading, by striking
``Quadrennial'' and inserting ``Biennial''; and
(ii) in the text, by striking ``Not later
than four years after the date on which the
President transmits the initial report under
paragraph (1), and every four years
thereafter,'' and inserting ``Not later than
one year after the date of the enactment of the
United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act
of 2014, and biennially thereafter,''.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on--
(i) the range of cyber and asymmetric
threats posed to Israel by state and non-state
actors; and
(ii) the joint efforts of the United States
and Israel to address the threats identified in
clause (i).
(B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph
(A) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may
contain a classified annex.
(C) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--
In this paragraph, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR ISRAEL.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that Israel has adopted high standards
in the field of export controls, including by becoming adherent to the
Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear
Suppliers Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement control lists, and by
enacting robust legislation and regulations for the control of dual-use
and defense items.
(b) Expedited Licensing Procedures.--
(1) In general.--The President shall direct the Secretary
of State to undertake discussions with Israel to identify the
steps required to be taken to include Israel within the list of
countries described in section 740.20(c)(1) of title 15, Code
of Federal Regulations (relating to eligibility for Strategic
Trade Authorization).
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter for a period of 3 years or until such time
that Israel is included on the list of countries
determined as eligible for the Strategic Trade
Authorization, whichever occurs first, the President
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate a report on the following:
(i) The current status of negotiations.
(ii) The reasons that Israel has not yet
been determined as eligible for the Strategic
Trade Authorization.
(B) Form.--The report required by subparagraph (A)
shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain
a classified annex.
(c) Licensing Treatment as MTCR Adherent.--The President shall
direct the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that, subject to the
requirements of section 6(l) of the Export Administration Act of 1979
(50 U.S.C. App. 2405(l)) (as continued in effect pursuant to the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act), Israel is treated no less
favorably than other members or adherents to the Missile Technology
Control Regime designated in Country Group A:2 in Supplement No. 1 to
part 740 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) Overseas Private Investment Corporation.--In carrying out its
authorities under title IV of chapter 2 of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191 et seq.), the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation should consider giving preference to providing
insurance, financing, or reinsurance for energy and water projects in
Israel.
(e) Energy, Water, Agriculture, and Alternative Fuel
Technologies.--
(1) In general.--The President is authorized to carry out
cooperative activities with Israel and to provide assistance to
Israel that promotes cooperation in the fields of energy,
water, agriculture, alternative fuel technologies, and civil
space, where appropriate and pursuant to existing law.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
President is authorized to share and exchange with Israel
research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment, and
personnel that the President determines will advance the
national security interests of the United States and is
consistent with the Strategic Dialogue and pertinent provisions
of law--
(A) by enhancing scientific cooperation between
Israel and the United States; or
(B) by the sale, lease, exchange in kind, or other
techniques the President determines to be suitable.
(f) Cooperative Research Pilot Programs.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting
through the Director of the Homeland Security Advanced Research
Projects Agency and with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, is authorized to enter into cooperative research pilot
programs with Israel to enhance Israel's capabilities in the
following areas:
(A) Border, maritime, and aviation security.
(B) Explosives detection.
(C) Emergency services.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--For fiscal year 2014,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Homeland Security--
(A) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(A);
(B) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(B); and
(C) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(C).
SEC. 103. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON CYBER-SECURITY.
It is a sense of Congress that the United States and Israel should
take steps and explore avenues to increase cooperation on cyber-
security.
SEC. 104. STATEMENT OF UNITED STATES POLICY REGARDING ISRAEL'S DEFENSE
SYSTEMS.
(a) Findings.--Congress--
(1) commends the first phase completion of the David's
Sling Weapon System (DSWS) by the Israel Missile Defense
Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, which is
designed to provide additional opportunities for interception
by the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon System (Arrow 2
and Arrow 3);
(2) congratulates the Israel Missile Defense Organization
and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on successfully executing
the Arrow 3 flyout of a more advanced interceptor, which will
improve Israel's defenses against upper tier ballistic missile
threats from nations including Iran;
(3) recognizes that during Operation Pillar of Defense in
November 2012, Israel deployed Iron Dome short-range rocket
defense batteries to intercept Hamas-launched rockets fired
from Gaza--of those rockets that posed a threat to the life of
Israeli citizens, 80 to 85 percent were successfully
intercepted, saving countless lives; and
(4) agrees that, as stated by former Secretary of Defense
Leon Panetta, ``Iron Dome performed, I think it's fair to say,
remarkably well during the recent escalation . . . Iron Dome
does not start wars. It helps prevent wars.''.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It should be the policy of the United
States that the President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of State, should provide assistance, upon request by the
Government of Israel, for the enhancement of the David's Sling Weapon
System, the enhancement of the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon
System (Arrow 2 and Arrow 3), and the procurement and enhancement of
the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system for purposes of
intercepting short-range rockets, missiles, and other projectiles
launched against Israel.
SEC. 105. REPORT ON OTHER MATTERS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States and Israel should continue
collaborative efforts to enhance Israel's military
capabilities, including through the transfer of advanced combat
aircraft, active phased array radar, military tanker-
transports, other multi-mission military aircraft, advanced or
specialized munitions, and through joint training and exercise
opportunities in the United States;
(2) the United States and Israel should expeditiously
conclude an updated Memorandum of Understanding regarding
United States security assistance in order to help Israel meet
its unique security requirements and uphold its qualitative
military edge;
(3) the United States should ensure that Israel has timely
access to important military equipment, including by augmenting
the forward deployed United States War Reserve Stockpile in
Israel and by continuing to provide Israel with critical
military equipment and spare parts through the Department of
Defense's Excess Defense Articles program; and
(4) the United States should continue to support Israel's
inherent right of self-defense.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that--
(A) reviews the progress made toward the actions
and efforts identified in the report required under
section 6(b) of the United States-Israel Enhanced
Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-150;
22 U.S.C. 8604(b)); and
(B) provides policy recommendations, if necessary.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) may include
a classified annex.
(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.
SEC. 106. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel in
the list of countries that participate in the visa waiver program under
section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) when
Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to satisfy, the
requirements for inclusion in such program specified in such section.
SEC. 107. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State should
continue and, to the furthest extent practicable, increase its
coordination on monitoring and combating anti-Semitism with the
Government of Israel.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION
SEC. 201. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION.
(a) Findings.--Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable'' and
inserting ``covered'';
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``possible many'' and inserting
``possible--
``(A) many'';
(B) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the
end; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) significant contributions to the development
of renewable energy and energy efficiency through the
established programs of the United States-Israel
Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational
Science Foundation;'';
(3) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting
``covered''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the
end;
(4) in paragraph (7)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting
``covered''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
a semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) United States-Israel energy cooperation, and the
development of natural resources by Israel, are strategic
interests of the United States;
``(9) Israel is a strategic partner of the United States in
water technology;
``(10) the United States can play a role in assisting
Israel with regional safety and security issues;
``(11) the National Science Foundation of the United States
should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation;
``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to
develop more robust academic cooperation in energy innovation
technology and engineering, water science, technology transfer,
and analysis of geopolitical implications of new natural
resource development and associated areas;
``(13) the United States supports the goals of the
Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel;
``(14) the United States strongly urges open dialogue and
continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages
further cooperation between applicable departments, agencies,
ministries, institutions of higher education, and the private
sectors of the United States and Israel on energy security
issues, including--
``(A) identifying policy priorities associated with
the development of natural resources of Israel;
``(B) discussing best practices to secure cyber
energy infrastructure;
``(C) best practice sharing;
``(D) leveraging natural gas to positively impact
regional stability;
``(E) improving energy efficiency and the overall
performance of water technologies through research and
development in water desalination, wastewater treatment
and reclamation, and other water treatment
technologies;
``(F) technical and environmental management of
deep-water exploration and production;
``(G) coastal protection and restoration;
``(H) academic outreach and engagement;
``(I) private sector and business development
engagement;
``(J) regulatory consultations;
``(K) leveraging alternative transportation fuels
and technologies; and
``(L) any other areas determined appropriate by the
United States and Israel;
``(15) the United States acknowledges the achievements and
importance of the United States-Israel Binational Industrial
Research and Development Foundation and the United States-
Israel Binational Science Foundation and supports continued
multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of
the Foundations; and
``(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest
in addressing their immediate, near-term, and long-term energy
and environmental challenges.''.
(b) Establishment.--Section 917(b)(1) of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1)) is amended by striking
``renewable energy or energy efficiency'' and inserting ``covered
energy''.
(c) Types of Energy.--Section 917(b)(2) of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Types of'' and inserting
``Covered'';
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(3) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) natural gas energy, including conventional
and unconventional natural gas technologies and natural
gas projects conducted by or in conjunction with the
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the
United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and
Development Foundation, and the United States-Israel
Science and Technology Foundation; and
``(I) improvement of energy efficiency and the
overall performance of water technologies through
research and development in water desalination,
wastewater treatment and reclamation, and other water
treatment technologies.''.
(d) Eligible Applicants.--Section 917(b)(3) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(3)) is
amended by striking ``energy efficiency or renewable'' and inserting
``covered''.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations; International Partnerships.--
Section 917 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17337) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(e) and (f), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) International Partnerships.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, subject to the
availability of appropriations, enter into cooperative
agreements supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning
involving international partnerships between the Department,
including National Laboratories of the Department, and the
Government of Israel and its ministries, offices, and
institutions.
``(2) Federal share.--The Secretary may not pay more than
50 percent of the costs described in paragraph (1).
``(3) Annual reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate an annual report that describes--
``(A) actions taken to carry out this subsection;
and
``(B) any projects under this subsection for which
the Secretary requests funding.
``(d) United States-Israel Center.--The Secretary may establish a
joint United States-Israel Center based in an area of the United States
with the experience, knowledge, and expertise in offshore energy
development to further dialogue and collaboration to develop more
robust academic cooperation in energy innovation technology and
engineering, water science, technology transfer, and analysis of
geopolitical implications of new natural resource development and
associated areas.''; and
(3) by amending subsection (f) (as redesignated) to read as
follows:
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made
available under section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16231), the Secretary is authorized to use $2,000,000 for each fiscal
year to carry out this section.''.
(f) Termination.--Subsection (e) of section 917 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) (as
redesignated by subsection (e)(1)) is amended by striking ``the date
that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting
``September 30, 2021''.
TITLE III--OFFSET
SEC. 301. OFFSET.
Section 102(a) of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of
2009 (Public Law 111-73) is amended by striking ``$1,500,000,000'' and
inserting ``$1,487,000,000''.
Passed the House of Representatives March 5, 2014.
Attest:
Clerk.
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 938
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To strengthen the strategic alliance between the United States and
Israel, and for other purposes.