118 S2240 IS: United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-07-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2240IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 11, 2023Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for certain cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing countries, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023.

2.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—(1)shared international development cooperation between the United States and Israel benefits the development efforts of the United States through the sharing of Israel’s unique expertise, as evidenced by—(A)the work done by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation; and(B)Israel’s humanitarian programs and robust civil society sector;(2)since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Global Development Cooperation Between the United States Agency for International Development and MASHAV—The Agency for International Development Cooperation of the State of Israel on August 21, 2019, the United States and Israel have collaborated on several initiatives in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America across many sectors, including water technology, agriculture, and education;(3)this ongoing bilateral cooperation—(A)harnesses the strengths of the United States and Israel in carrying out projects in developing countries;(B)demonstrates the shared commitment of the United States and Israel to international development; and(C)furthers the policy of the United States to expand prospects for engagement and normalization between Israel and other countries; and(4)the United States should continue to partner with Israel—(A)to advance common goals regarding energy, agriculture, food security, democracy, human rights, governance, economic growth, trade, education, environment, global health, water, and sanitation; and(B)to focus on strengthening mutual ties and cooperation with other countries throughout the world.

3.

Cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing countries

Section 106(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151d(e)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking $2,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 and inserting $4,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 2026.

4.

USAID report on expanding development cooperation

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall submit a written report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives regarding—(1)the feasibility and advisability of expanding development projects authorized under section 106(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended by section 3, including multilateral cooperation among the United States, Israel, and regional Arab partners that promote new development projects, including projects in Africa; and(2)the need for additional resources to carry out the projects described in paragraph (1).