[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3617-H3620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ROCKET AND MISSILE DEFENSE COOPERATION AND SUPPORT
ACT
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5327) to authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome
anti-missile defense system, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5327
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 Israel can ensure the safety
of its population against rocket, missile, and other threats.
(5) The United States 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 State 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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. McMahon) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
legislation and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
H.R. 5327, the United States-Israel Rocket and Missile Defense
Cooperation and Support Act of which I am a proud original cosponsor,
authorizes funds for the State of Israel to facilitate the deployment
of the Iron Dome missile defense system. I would like to thank the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye) for introducing this
important legislation.
Madam Speaker, as we all know, the residents of Israel are subject to
the constant threat of terrorist attack--not just threat but actual
attack. Israelis living in the southern city of Sderot have been
terrorized by more than 8,000 indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks
on their homes, schools and communities. Passage of the U.S.-Israel
Rocket and Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act today will help
provide Israel with a reliable missile shield that could lead to a
major strategic shift in Israel's approach to dealing with the
persistent missile threat.
For years, the primary tool that Israel has used to protect its
citizens from Hamas and Hezbollah missile attacks is an early warning
system that sets off sirens telling people to hurry into bomb shelters.
This is a passive defense which aims to minimize fatalities among
helpless, unprotected civilians. The deployment of the Iron Dome
missile shield will give Israel the capability to provide active
defense. This advanced system has the capability of knocking Qassams,
Katyushas, mortars and other deadly projectiles out of the sky,
rendering them harmless.
President Obama's decision to provide the necessary funding to
support Israel's deployment of the Iron Dome system demonstrates
America's enduring commitment to Israel's enduring defense and the
Obama administration's commitment to ensuring Israel's security. As
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently said, ``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.'' Madam Speaker, U.S.-Israeli
cooperation on the Iron Dome system will help advance the cause of
peace by supporting Israel's ability to defend herself against
terrorist attacks. This will give Israel the security it requires to
live in peace and to make difficult sacrifices for peace. I believe
defensive technologies like Iron Dome are a real-world necessity for
Israel as it moves from proximity talks to direct talks and eventually
to a final two-state solution.
Madam Speaker, the United States and our ally Israel share many of
the
[[Page H3618]]
same security challenges, from combating terrorism to confronting the
threat posed by Iran's nuclear weapons program. President Obama and the
Democrats in Congress recognize the threat posed by Hamas and Hezbollah
to Israel, and we will continue to do what is necessary to keep Israel
safe and promote the cause of peace, but we cannot have peace until
Israel is safe. Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of
Israel in their quest for peace and the right to live lives free of
terrorism. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yea'' on this
important legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
One of the foundations of America's national security policy is and
must remain our deep alliance and our friendship with the democratic,
Jewish State of Israel. We not only share our deepest values with
Israel, but we also enjoy close, mutually beneficial, bilateral
cooperation in many fields, including defense, intelligence, homeland
security, science, technology and education. And as many have noted,
Israel is a stabilizing force, and our alliance with Israel is a force
multiplier in a region of great strategic importance to not only Israel
but the United States.
In short, the United States' support for Israel advances our own
security interests. But every day the threat to the democratic, Jewish
State of Israel grows and continues to grow. As the Iranian regime
draws closer to obtaining the capabilities for nuclear weapons and the
missiles to deliver them, as that same regime sponsors Hezbollah, Hamas
and other foreign terrorist organizations, and as the Syrian regime
follows in its footsteps in these regards, the goal is very simple: To
destroy Israel and the Jewish people, with the United States next.
Madam Speaker, the little fellow from the desert, Ahmadinejad, has
denied the Holocaust. He has compared Israel to a ``germ,'' threatened
to ``wipe Israel off the map,'' and has spoken of his goal of ``a world
without America and Zionism.'' The dictator of Syria has threatened
Israel with ``violent resistance.'' Hamas' covenant calls for killing
Jews and destroying the nation of Israel. Hezbollah's leader has
reportedly stated that ``If the Jews all gather in Israel, it will save
us the trouble of going after them worldwide.''
{time} 1530
Madam Speaker, we should take these threats from Syria, Iran,
Hezbollah, and Hamas as serious threats to world stability, and
specifically to the nation of Israel. They have backed up these threats
with their evil deeds. For the last decade, thousands of rockets and
mortars have been fired by Hezbollah from the north and Hamas to the
south, sponsored by Iran and Syria with reported aid from the nation of
North Korea. Since Israel's defense operations against Hezbollah in
2006, Hezbollah has rapidly rearmed again, thanks to Syria and Iran and
North Korea, and reports indicate they now have over 40,000 rockets
aimed at Israel.
Recent reports indicate that Syria is providing Hezbollah with long-
range missiles that could strike most of Israel, and that some of that
weaponry was reportedly manufactured by those folks in North Korea. I
would add incidentally that it doesn't help matters when senior
administration officials say the United States should build up what
they call more moderate elements of Hezbollah. There are no moderate
elements of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is not a mainstream political party.
They are a blood-thirsty terrorist group. But I digress, Madam Speaker.
To Israel's south, Hamas and other violent militant groups in the
Gaza area have fired thousands and thousands of rockets and mortars on
civilian targets in southern Israel since 2000, killing, wounding and
inflicting deep psychological trauma on Israeli citizens.
Madam Speaker, I doubt if we would long put up with rockets coming
from the north of our border and from the south of our border, but the
Israelis have to put up with the terror from the north and the south on
a constant basis. Since the conclusion of Israel's defensive operation
in January 2009, the rockets and mortars have abated, but they have not
stopped entirely. In fact, over 200 have been fired in the last 16
months.
To defend the Israeli people, the State of Israel is developing a
multi-layered rocket and missile defense system. It is a defense
system, not an offensive system. It is called the Iron Dome for short-
range threats, the David's Sling for medium- to long-range threats, and
the Arrow for long-range ballistic missiles.
But as we know, national security comes at a heavy cost. Israel has a
higher ratio of defense spending to gross domestic product and spends
more on defense as a percentage of its budget than any developed
country. Israel should not bear these costs single-handedly.
Madam Speaker, when Hamas and Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria,
threaten Israel, they also are threatening us, and we need to respond
accordingly. What we should do is stand with Israel just as Israel
stands with us, and we should continue to provide Israel with the
support it needs to defend itself by addressing and stopping the
comprehensive threat posed not only by Hamas and Hezbollah, but their
state sponsors, specifically Iran and Syria.
That is why I strongly support H.R. 5327, the United States-Israel
Rocket Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act, which authorizes
the United States to support Israel with the procurement, maintenance,
and sustainment of the Iron Dome system.
I would like to thank my distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Nye) and the ranking member of our Foreign Affairs Committee, the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), and Mr. Turner from Ohio
for sponsoring this vital legislation. I urge my colleagues to pass
this legislation and make the message clear: the United States will
stand with Israel and our other allies, and we will stand against our
mutual enemies, no matter the cost.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Nye).
Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reaffirm and strengthen the
U.S.-Israeli bond in mutual defense and security by introducing H.R.
5327, the United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation and Support
Act.
The relationship between our countries is unlike any found in the
world, and our friendship gives both Israel and the United States peace
of mind in knowing that we will always support one another's security.
A safe homeland begins abroad, and Israel has long been central to
that security. For instance, it is because of Israel's strength and
cooperation that the U.S. no longer has to constantly keep a carrier
strike group in the Mediterranean, allowing us to use our forces more
judiciously.
I am proud to introduce this legislation which is supported by the
President's recent decision to provide funding to support Israel's
deployment of the Iron Dome missile defense system. The Iron Dome
system will help protect Israeli citizens living in cities like Sderot
who have been terrorized by over 8,000 indiscriminate rocket and mortar
attacks on their homes, schools, and communities. The funds authorized
by this bill will allow Israel to build two Iron Dome batteries which
will be deployed in the southern and northern areas of the country as
needed. Israeli defense officials estimate that Iron Dome could be
deployed and functional this year.
Lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians requires that
Israel can ensure the safety of its population against missile threats.
Therefore, U.S.-Israel cooperation on the Iron Dome system will help
advance the cause of peace by supporting Israel's ability to defend
itself against terrorist attacks. Cooperation on important technologies
such as Iron Dome proves that the U.S.-Israeli security cooperation is
stronger than ever and is also beneficial to both nations as we
continue to collaborate to develop our most sensitive defense
technologies.
Congress stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel in their quest for
peace and the right to live free from terrorism. This legislation is a
tribute to America's commitment to Israel's defense and to the
President's continued and expanding support for Israel's security.
[[Page H3619]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).
Mr. NYE. I would like to thank Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-
Lehtinen, Ms. Giffords, Mr. McMahon, Mr. Himes, Mr. Ackerman, Ms.
Kosmas, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Turner for their support of this crucial
legislation as original cosponsors, and I urge my colleagues to support
this measure.
Mr. POE of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), a member of the Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the U.S.-Israel
Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act.
Too many Israeli families live under the daily threat of rocket
attacks from Hezbollah and Hamas. President Obama's decision to provide
$205 million in support of the Iron Dome rocket defense system will
help Israel defend its citizens against these deadly terrorist attacks.
I traveled to Israel last month, and I believe the status quo in the
Middle East is unsustainable. Lasting peace between Israelis and
Palestinians will only be possible if Israel can ensure the security of
its population. And that is why U.S. support for defensive weapons
systems like Iron Dome is so important. This legislation clearly
demonstrates that the United States Congress and President Obama will
not compromise when it comes to Israel's security. I am proud to
support this legislation, and I want to thank its sponsors.
Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Representative Moran
from Virginia, a member of the Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill
of which I am also a cosponsor.
Last week, President Obama submitted a request to Congress to
authorize funds for this important missile defense system which will
shield Israeli civilians from indiscriminate short-range missile
attacks. The bill is consistent with support of human rights for
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and of efforts to enhance
Israel's security and defense of her citizens from violent rocket and
missile attacks.
This reflects the role that the United States can play in saving
lives on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and if we can
save lives and promote a sustainable peace, then we must play that role
from both a moral as well as a geopolitical motivation because when
people feel secure, they think differently than when they feel under
siege. Their priorities change. And this missile defense system could
be a game changer. It deserves our support.
Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Rothman), a member of the Appropriations Committee and
its Subcommittee on Defense.
Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Staten Island, Congressman Nye, and Congressman Poe for your work on
this important issue.
Madam Speaker, why is it important for the United States to defend
the national security of the State of Israel? Well, it is important
because the national security of the State of Israel is critically
important to the national security of the United States of America.
How is that so? Well, we know first of all that the United States has
been working with Israel and her technicians on improved missile
defense technology. The Arrow missile system is a joint U.S.-Israel
technological wonder that protects the United States and its forces
around the world from incoming missilery from within zero to 600 miles.
We know that the U.S. is working on a project with Israel called
David's Sling, again a defensive system to protect U.S. forces and
Israeli forces and people from rockets and mortars fired between 43 and
150 miles.
We are also working with the State of Israel, the United States is,
on a very sophisticated anti-missile system called Arrow 3, which would
allow us to defend against ICBMs fired as far as 1,200 miles away and
get those missiles 1,200 miles away before they were over American soil
or over our troops in the region or over our ally, the State of Israel.
So the money that we invest in missile defense with the State of
Israel and having our scientists working jointly together is in the
vital national security interest of the United States and in the vital
national security interest of the State of Israel which provides
Americans so many benefits, not just the benefits of supporting a
fellow democracy and a nation who our Founders referred to as people
deserving of the right to return to their natural homeland.
Israel has a strategic importance to the United States as well. It is
located on the Mediterranean. It is located near the Red Sea. It is a
bad neighborhood. A lot of the actors who would want to hurt Americans
around the world and on U.S. soil are inspired, if not financed, from
that region.
Israel has one of the world's greatest intelligence services. We
Americans get day-to-day updates from that intelligence service which
benefit us in our fight against terrorists who are trying to kill
Americans around the world and on American soil.
And of course the money that we give Israel for its military
acquisitions, 70 percent of the money is required to buy American-made
munitions; American made.
Those are just some of the reasons. U.S. generals want Israel to have
a missile defense system that will be able to be used to protect U.S.
troops in the region as well as our ally, the State of Israel.
Also, as one of my colleagues mentioned earlier, we increase the
chance for peace if potential adversaries know not only that we have a
strong offensive power, but that we have a strong defense. So if they
know that whatever they shoot at us won't land, won't blow up on us,
and that we will then respond with overwhelming power and they haven't
laid a glove on us, so to speak, then they will be deterred. They will
say, gee, if I throw everything at them and it won't work because they
are protected by this anti-missile system, and they will respond
overwhelmingly, why the heck should we fire at them in the first place.
That is why a missile defense system for the United States has been
so important. That's why a missile defense system for our number one
strategic military ally in the region, the Jewish State of Israel, is
so important for the United States. It will help protect Israel. It
will help protect American troops in the region, and it will help
reduce the chances of war if those who want to destroy Israel know
Israel can survive an attack and then be ready with its own offensive
response.
I thank the gentleman for offering this bill, and I urge all of my
colleagues to support it as well.
Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), chairwoman of the Legislative Branch
Subcommittee on Appropriations.
{time} 1545
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
5327, the United States-Israel Rocket and Missile Defense Cooperation
and Support Act. As a staunch supporter of the Jewish State of Israel,
it gives me great pride to be a cosponsor of this resolution, which
will provide Israel with the funding it needs to maintain the safety
and security of her citizens.
By authorizing funds requested by President Obama for Israel's Iron
Dome defense system, Congress and President Obama's message to the
people of Israel is loud and clear: Our commitment to Israel's security
is unshakable. And, through this funding that will help Israel produce
and maintain an effective defense against short-range missiles,
rockets, and mortars such as those used by Hamas and Hezbollah, we are
backing up our words with action.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on helping to maintain Israel's
qualitative military edge and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5327. And I commend
my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia
[[Page H3620]]
(Mr. Nye) for his leadership on this very important issue.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Nadler), the chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on
the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Mr. NADLER of New York. Madam Speaker, we all hope for a peace
agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians. Such an
agreement, providing for adequate security safeguards for Israel, would
benefit the citizens of Israel and would benefit the Palestinians. It
would also help stabilize the Middle East and would inure to the
national security interests of the United States.
Every American administration for the last 40 years has recognized
that prerequisite to the successful conclusion of any peace agreement
is the maintenance of Israel's qualitative military superiority over
any potential combination of state and nonstate aggressors. In recent
years, unfortunately, we have permitted Israel's military superiority
to lag, to begin to fall down.
I want to congratulate the administration, the Obama administration
for recognizing this and, in the last year and a half, sharply stepping
up U.S. military assistance and U.S. military cooperation with Israel.
Now we also face the threat from Iran and the threat of 40,000
rockets and missiles supplied by the Iranians in Lebanon in the
possession of Hezbollah, which has said that it wants to kill every
Jew. It would be nice if all the Jews moved to Israel so they could
kill them with one swoop. And this accumulation of 40,000 rockets has
been done in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which
has not been enforced. So, hence, this bill.
This bill, which comes to us from the administration, to provide 200-
and-some-odd million dollars for the Iron Dome antimissile system is
another step in maintaining Israel's military superiority and in
protecting Israel's citizens against possibly unprovoked aggression and
is an absolute prerequisite if we hope to see any peaceful settlement
in the Middle East.
I, therefore, congratulate the administration on taking this step and
on the steps it has made to maintain Israel's military superiority. I
thank the sponsors, and I urge the passage of this bill.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, the State of Israel, the nation of Israel, is not a
big place. It's a little, bitty country. It's smaller than the State of
New Jersey. From north to south, at the longest point, it's 200 miles.
East to west, it's 75 miles. And ever since their existence, nations
all around them have been wanting to destroy the nation of Israel.
Let there be no mistake about it, Madam Speaker. Israel is our ally.
Israel has the absolute right of self-defense, to protect the dignity
of its country and to protect its citizens. That is the first duty of
every government and of every nation. This resolution helps Israel
protect itself and its citizens.
Israel has the absolute right to exist. And it should be known to the
world that we will stand with Israel to make sure they have the right
to exist. Israel is saying to Hezbollah and Hamas, Syria, Iran, and
even North Korea, Leave us alone. That is the right that Israel has, to
be left alone in that region.
This resolution also says, Madam Speaker, and reaffirms a statement
made 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy when he made the comment
in his inaugural address, and I quote, ``Let every nation know, whether
it wishes us well or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend and oppose any foe to assure the
survival and the success of liberty. This we pledge and much more.''
This resolution, Madam Speaker, reaffirms that commitment by
President Kennedy over 50 years ago.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I shall
consume.
Madam Speaker, I join in agreement with all the speakers who have
spoken on this resolution, the importance of America's continuing
friendship, support, and solidarity with the people of Israel.
Many speak about how this is an issue that is so important for
America's national security, and that is true. I'm a New Yorker. You
may have noticed that. I know with my accent I didn't have to say it.
But I was also in New York on September 11, and like so many New
Yorkers, we saw firsthand the threat of terrorism right at our
doorstep; not just the threat, but the reality. And it's that threat
and that reality that the people of Israel live with every day. They
are on the front line. So, yes, it is in our national interest.
But it also speaks to the very morality and soul of our Nation that
we stand by our friend, that we stand by our colleague in this world
battle, and that is the nation of Israel. And so this bill is just one
more step in that statement. It is important for America to do it
because, if we didn't, then we would no longer be America.
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, the security of our ally Israel
is threatened by the proliferation of rockets its enemies possess along
its borders. In both the south and the north, millions of Israelis live
within range of Hamas and Hizballah rockets.
In the last decade, more than 16,000 rockets and mortars have been
launched over Gaza and Lebanese borders into Israel. These attacks have
targeted and killed innocent civilians.
With the backing and support of Iran and Syria, Hizballah now has an
arsenal of more than 42,000 short- and long-range rockets, which are
aimed at Israel. This number of rockets is more than three times larger
than what Hizballah had prior to the 2006 war with Israel. U.S.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has warned that Hizballah's ``arsenal
of rockets and missiles now dwarfs the inventory of many nation-
states.''
The ability of Hamas and Hizballah to launch attacks on Israeli
civilians is a threat to Israel's security that must be countered. To
protect its people, Israel developed Iron Dome, a short-range rocket
defense system that will protect civilians living near Israel's border.
H.R. 5327, the United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation and
Support Act, authorizes U.S. assistance to help Israel speed up
production and deployment of this rocket defense system so that more
Israelis are protected from the indiscriminate attacks of its enemies.
But this legislation does more than improve Israeli security; it also
enhances the security of the U.S. The missile defense technology being
developed in cooperation with the U.S. will help us better defend
ourselves, and may one day help protect U.S. military bases in the
Middle East.
I support the legislation before us and urge my colleagues to vote in
favor of this legislation that will help Israel maintain its
qualitative military edge.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, at this time I have no further requests
for time, and therefore, I yield the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. McMahon) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5327, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________