[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H2481-H2490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1320
     UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY COOPERATION ACT OF 2012

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 4133) to express the sense of Congress regarding the 
United States-Israel strategic relationship, to direct the President to 
submit to Congress reports on United States actions to enhance this 
relationship and to assist in the defense of Israel, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4133

       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 
     Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012''.

[[Page H2482]]

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Since 1948, United States Presidents and both houses of 
     Congress, on a bipartisan basis and supported by the American 
     people, have repeatedly reaffirmed the special bond between 
     the United States and Israel, based on shared values and 
     shared interests.
       (2) The Middle East is undergoing rapid change, bringing 
     with it hope for an expansion of democracy but also great 
     challenges to the national security of the United States and 
     our allies in the region, particularly our most important 
     ally in the region, Israel. Over the past year, the Middle 
     East has witnessed the fall of some regimes long considered 
     to be stabilizing forces and a rise in the influence of 
     radical Islamists.
       (3) Iran, which has long sought to foment instability and 
     promote extremism in the Middle East, is now seeking to 
     exploit the dramatic political transition underway in the 
     region to undermine governments traditionally aligned with 
     the United States and support extremist political movements 
     in these countries.
       (4) At the same time, Iran may soon attain a nuclear 
     weapons capability, a development that would fundamentally 
     threaten vital American interests, destabilize the region, 
     encourage regional nuclear proliferation, further empower and 
     embolden Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of 
     terrorism, and provide it the tools to threaten its 
     neighbors, including Israel.
       (5) Over the past several years, with the assistance of 
     Iran and Syria, Hizballah and Hamas have increased their 
     stockpiles of rockets, with more than 60,000 rockets now 
     ready to be fired at Israel. Iran continues to add to its 
     arsenal of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which 
     threaten Iran's neighbors, Israel, and United States military 
     forces in the region.
       (6) As a result, the strategic environment that has kept 
     Israel secure and safeguarded United States national 
     interests for the past 35 years has eroded.

     SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States:
       (1) To reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United 
     States to the security of the State of Israel as a Jewish 
     state. As President Obama stated on December 16, 2011, 
     ``America's commitment and my commitment to Israel and 
     Israel's security is unshakeable.''. And as President Bush 
     stated before the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of the 
     founding of the State of Israel on May 15, 2008, ``The 
     alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the 
     source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty.''.
       (2) To provide Israel the military capabilities necessary 
     to deter and defend itself by itself against any threats.
       (3) To veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the 
     United Nations Security Council.
       (4) To support Israel's inherent right to self-defense.
       (5) To pursue avenues to expand cooperation with Israel in 
     both defense and across the spectrum of civilian sectors, 
     including high technology, agriculture, medicine, health, 
     pharmaceuticals, and energy.
       (6) To assist Israel with its on-going efforts to forge a 
     peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian 
     conflict that results in two states living side by side in 
     peace and security, and to encourage Israel's neighbors to 
     recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

     SEC. 4. UNITED STATES ACTIONS TO ASSIST IN THE DEFENSE OF 
                   ISRAEL AND PROTECT AMERICAN INTERESTS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States should take the following actions to assist 
     in the defense of Israel:
       (1) Provide Israel such support as may be necessary to 
     increase development and production of joint missile defense 
     systems, particularly such systems that defend the urgent 
     threat posed to Israel and United States forces in the 
     region.
       (2) Provide Israel assistance specifically for the 
     production and procurement of the Iron Dome defense system 
     for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles, rockets, 
     and projectiles launched against Israel.
       (3) Provide Israel defense articles and defense services 
     through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air 
     refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and 
     specialized munitions.
       (4) Allocate additional weaponry and munitions for the 
     forward-deployed United States stockpile in Israel.
       (5) Provide Israel additional surplus defense articles and 
     defense services, as appropriate, in the wake of the 
     withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq.
       (6) Strengthen efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into 
     Gaza pursuant to the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access 
     following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and to protect 
     against weapons smuggling and terrorist threats from the 
     Sinai Peninsula.
       (7) Offer the Israeli Air Force additional training and 
     exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for 
     Israel's limited air space.
       (8) Expand Israel's authority to make purchases under the 
     Foreign Military Financing program on a commercial basis.
       (9) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the United States 
     and Israel to address emerging common threats, increase 
     security cooperation, and expand joint military exercises.
       (10) Encourage an expanded role for Israel within the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including an enhanced 
     presence at NATO headquarters and exercises.
       (11) Support extension of the long-standing loan guarantee 
     program for Israel, recognizing Israel's unbroken record of 
     repaying its loans on time and in full.
       (12) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, 
     including satellite intelligence, with Israel.
       (b) Report on Israel's Qualitative Military Edge.--
       (1) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States--
       (A) to help Israel preserve its qualitative military edge 
     amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation; 
     and
       (B) to encourage further development of advanced technology 
     programs between the United States and Israel given current 
     trends and instability in the region.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     on the status of Israel's qualitative military edge in light 
     of current trends and instability in the region.
       (c) Reports on Other Matters.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President 
     shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report on each of the following:
       (1) Taking into account Israel's urgent requirement for F 
     35 aircraft, actions to improve the process relating to 
     Israel's purchase of F 35 aircraft to improve cost efficiency 
     and timely delivery.
       (2) Efforts to expand cooperation between the United States 
     and Israel in homeland security, counter-terrorism, maritime 
     security, energy, cybersecurity, and other appropriate areas.
       (3) Actions to integrate Israel into the defense of the 
     Eastern Mediterranean.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed 
     Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed 
     Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Qualitative military edge.--The term ``qualitative 
     military edge'' has the meaning given the term in section 
     36(h)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 
     2776(h)(2)).

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LOAN GUARANTEES TO 
                   ISRAEL.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title I of the Emergency 
     Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108 
     11), as amended, is further amended in the item relating to 
     ``Loan Guarantees to Israel''--
       (1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking 
     ``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; 
     and
       (2) in the second proviso, by striking ``September 30, 
     2011'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Berman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the United States-Israel 
Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, of which I am an original 
cosponsor; and I thank the distinguished majority leader and minority 
whip for sponsoring this important legislation.
  The democratic Jewish State of Israel is our closest and most 
important ally. We share the same interests. We share the same values. 
And, lamentably, we share the same threats.
  Today, 64 years after Israel's founding, these same shared threats to 
both of our nations are stark and they are growing--particularly the 
threat posed by the Iranian regime, which continues racing towards 
nuclear-weapons capabilities, and by Iran's partner in crime, the Assad 
regime in Syria. Israel continues to face the danger of Iranian-
sponsored violent extremists, including Hamas and Hezbollah, which 
continue to expand their capabilities to threaten Israeli civilians and 
its infrastructure with tens of thousands of rockets, mortars, and 
missiles.
  As a result of our shared commitments, the United States and Israel 
have worked together to advance technologies and policies to keep both 
of our countries safe and secure. Israel's proximity to the Iran-Syria-
Hamas-Hezbollah nexus eliminates any room for error in Israel's defense 
capabilities.
  We are here today to reaffirm our unequivocal support for Israel's 
right to

[[Page H2483]]

defend herself. And even beyond affirming Israel's right to defend 
herself, we aim to expand Israel's ability to protect her citizens 
against the dangers which they are subjected to day after day.
  This bill expresses the sense of Congress that our country should 
support an increase to the totality of our bilateral security 
relations--from joint missile defense systems, intelligence 
cooperation, military exercises between the United States and Israel, 
to increasing Air Force training as well as providing increased excess 
defense articles and munitions to Israel.
  This legislation also seeks to counter the Israel bashing that has 
become commonplace in international forums such as the United Nations. 
The United States must not allow Israel to be isolated and demonized in 
international organizations and must work together to withdraw U.S. 
participation in and funding from organizations that do so.
  This legislation also extends the authority to provide loan 
guarantees to the Israeli Government that provide the Jewish state with 
a cushion of support in times of need at no cost to the American 
taxpayer.
  As the United States and Israel work together to stop the challenges 
posed by the Iranian and Syrian regimes, and by violent extremists like 
Hezbollah and Hamas, the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, 
the bill before us today, marks the triumph that we have achieved 
through our existing cooperation and advances our alliance to new 
levels.
  I want to again thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for 
their strong support for this measure.
  And with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4133, the 
United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, and I 
yield myself 3 minutes.
  I would like to thank my friends, the majority leader, Mr. Cantor, 
and minority whip, Mr. Hoyer, for bringing this important bill to the 
floor. Their cooperation on this legislation is an outstanding example 
of Congress' bipartisan support for the United States-Israel 
relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, since its founding, Israel has faced innumerable 
challenges to its survival, but the serious threats it faces today are 
unprecedented. Only weeks ago, a massive barrage of rockets was fired 
from Gaza at Israeli population centers by Islamic jihad and other 
terrorists. But unlike previous incidents where terrorists targeted 
Israel, the Iron Dome anti-missile system--funded in part by the United 
States--changed the rules of the game. In fact, Iron Dome intercepted a 
remarkable 90 percent of the incoming rockets aimed at once-defenseless 
population centers.
  Currently, there are only three Iron Dome batteries operational in 
Israel, with two more on the way, but more are needed in order to 
protect all of Israel's 8 million citizens.
  I'm pleased to say that H.R. 4133 incorporates language from the Iron 
Dome Support Act, bipartisan legislation that the chair and I recently 
introduced and which now has nearly 90 cosponsors, expressing support 
for providing Israel assistance to produce additional Iron Dome 
batteries.
  The bill also pledges to assist Israel with its ongoing efforts to 
forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian 
conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and 
security. Despite all of the obstacles to achieving this goal, we can't 
give up trying, as peace is profoundly in Israel's strategic interest. 
I applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu's willingness to negotiate anywhere, 
anytime. The Palestinians should take him up on that offer instead of 
pursuing a campaign to delegitimize Israel at the U.N. and elsewhere.
  Mr. Speaker, perhaps the greatest threat to both American and Israeli 
security today is that posed by Iran's nuclear weapons program. I hope 
fervently that this can be solved diplomatically. But as we all know, 
only massive pressure from the United States and our allies has any 
chance of persuading Iran to give up its quest for nuclear arms. This 
bill makes clear that the U.S. Congress will continue to help Israel 
meet the Iranian threat.
  Gaza-based terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the 
Iranian nuclear problem are not the only threats faced by Israel. 
Recent events in Egypt and Syria, along with the presence of Hamas in 
Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, require Israeli vigilance against danger 
from all directions. To that end, this bill reaffirms our determination 
to support Israel's qualitative military edge against any possible 
combination of regional threats.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. BERMAN. I yield myself 30 additional seconds.
  And reinforcing that commitment to Israel's security, this bill 
extends for 4 years a loan guarantee program for Israel that was 
initiated in 2003, an extension based on legislation that Chairman Ros-
Lehtinen and I introduced in March.
  Our relationship with our ally Israel is one of the most important, 
and closest, that we have with any nation in the world. We face many of 
the same threats, and we share the same values.
  Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently said that he can hardly 
remember a better period of U.S. support and cooperation and common 
U.S.-Israel strategic understanding than the current one. Passage of 
this bill will help ensure that this cooperation continues into the 
future. I encourage all of my colleagues to support the legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to submit remarks and include 
extraneous material on the legislation under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who has the honor of chairing our 
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
  Mr. CHABOT. I thank the chair for yielding time to me. She is doing 
an exemplary job as chairman of the very important Foreign Affairs 
Committee, and we thank her for that.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution. As we approach the 64th 
anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence, we must confront 
the unfortunate reality that all is not well in the Middle East. Just 
over a year and a half ago, a street vendor set off a wave of popular 
revolution which continues to shake the region's core foundations. And 
although I hope that the so-called Arab Spring will usher democracy and 
human rights into a region where both have been exceptions rather than 
the rule, and a year and a half in, the picture is starting to look--
let's face it--bleak.
  Times like this make us especially aware of who our friends are, and 
I am proud to support this and any resolution which strengthens the 
United States-Israel relationship.

                              {time}  1330

  For 64 years, the bonds of friendship between our two countries, 
reinforced by both shared interests and shared values, have remained 
strong and continue to grow stronger. Today, Israel faces unprecedented 
threats to its security, some of which, like the Iranian nuclear 
program, have loomed on the horizon for some time; and some, like the 
current regional instability that we've seen, are relatively new. At 
this time of heightened danger and profound change, it is incumbent on 
us to do everything in our power to help to secure Israel. It's our 
strongest ally in the region, has been for many years, and will 
continue to be in the future.
  The administration is fond of trumpeting its undying support for 
Israel, as Vice President Biden did just yesterday, but the proof of 
the pudding is in the eating. If the administration is truly serious 
about Israel's security, it can start by stating loudly and clearly 
that it will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapons capability--
not just the weapon, but the capability to produce one. That would be 
far more meaningful than another of the dozens of generic statements we 
frequently read about in the newspapers.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind Members not to 
traffic the well while a Member is under recognition.

[[Page H2484]]

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my 
friend from New York (Mr. Israel).
  Mr. ISRAEL. I thank my friend from California.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have worked on both sides of the 
aisle in the leadership of advancing U.S.-Israeli relations; proud of 
what I have done on a bipartisan basis to maintain Israel's qualitative 
military edge; proud of taking a tough line on Iran; proud of the 
meeting that I convened with the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida 
just several weeks ago with United Against a Nuclear Iran, a bipartisan 
meeting with the group United Against Nuclear Iran to make sure that 
we're taking the toughest actions possible with all the tools in our 
toolbox against a nuclear Iran; proud to have called publicly for the 
arrest of the madman Ahmadinejad on charges of inciting genocide; proud 
yesterday to have joined with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Lowey) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch) in calling for an 
investigation of whether U.S. taxpayer dollars have been used towards 
the Palestinian Investment Fund; and today I'm very proud to rise in 
support of the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act.
  Mr. Speaker, sometimes certain fundamentals get lost in the shuffle. 
Here are the fundamentals:
  Israel is the most important ally that we have in the world. Israel 
is the most important ally that we have in the world in the most 
dangerous region of the world. The bonds between Israel and the United 
States are unshakeable, can never be minimized, and will never be 
weakened for as long as both sides of the aisle continue to work side 
by side to advance that partnership.
  Of all the things we do here, one of the things I'm most proud of is 
our bipartisan support for Israel. And we will continue in that 
spirit--not only because a strong Israel is critical, but because a 
strong Israel means a more secure America.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), a member of our Committee on Foreign 
Affairs and the Committee on Judiciary.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, America's support for Israel is not new. Thomas 
Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin both wanted the likeness of Moses 
leading the children of Israel to serve as the Great Seal of the newly 
independent United States of America. In fact, in the center of this 
Chamber, in the relief portrait that is directly in front of me looking 
down on this House, is the portrait of the great lawgiver Moses. John 
Adams wrote that he really wished the Jews had in Judea an independent 
nation.
  So in 1948, when Israel finally became a modern, independent Jewish 
state, the United States recognized Israel in just 11 minutes. Today, 
our support for Israel cannot waiver, it cannot wane, and we cannot 
grow weary in proclaiming the absolute right of Israel to defend 
itself.
  Israel's interests are America's interests. They are on the front 
lines against terrorists like Hezbollah and Hamas. They are surrounded 
by nations that do not like them. And Israel is opposed to the tiny 
tyrant from the desert--Ahmadinejad--in his pursuit of nuclear 
destruction of Israel.
  Our troops train together, and our cooperation in developing military 
technology has saved Israeli and American lives.
  The United States has no greater ally in the Middle East than the 
nation of Israel. The United States must let the world know that Israel 
has the absolute right to be left alone.
  So I support this suspension and urge its passage, and that's just 
the way it is.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
very distinguished member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the ranking 
member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, on a resolution that 
does not affect--well, it does affect the Western Hemisphere because it 
affects us, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
  Mr. ENGEL. I thank the gentleman from California, and I rise in 
strong support of this resolution.
  I want our colleagues to hear what's been going on here on the House 
floor. At a time when Congress has been derided as not being able to 
get its act together, when people say Democrats and Republicans cannot 
agree on anything, when people say that Congress doesn't know how to 
work together and meet in the middle, what are we hearing? We're 
hearing Democrats and Republicans alike expressing strong bipartisan 
support for Israel, expressing strong bipartisan support for the U.S.-
Israel relationship.
  We know that the United States and Israel have so much in common. We 
have common feelings of democracy. We have common mores. We have common 
people who understand what democracy is all about.
  Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and faces threats 
from terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel is willing to 
sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians with no preconditions. 
Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that many, many times, and he has 
been rebuffed by the Palestinians, who want all kinds of preconditions 
before they will even sit down and talk with Israel.
  And of course Iran looms large. Iran must never be allowed to have a 
nuclear weapon. Iran is not only a threat to wipe Israel off the face 
of the Earth, as that lunatic Ahmadinejad has said, but Iran is a 
threat to the West, to the United States, and to NATO as well.
  So, what are we doing here this afternoon? We're rising in strong 
support of H.R. 4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security 
Cooperation Act. This important bill reaffirms that Congress stands 
shoulder to shoulder with Israel as it faces numerous challenges in the 
weeks and months ahead. It restates U.S. policy that America must 
provide Israel with the capability to defend itself and preserve its 
qualitative military edge. It increases military and civilian security 
cooperation between our two nations in order to prevent Iran from 
achieving nuclear weapons capability. It supports a negotiated 
settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state 
solution. It encourages Israel's neighbors to recognize the Jewish 
state, and Israel must be recognized as a Jewish state.
  As importantly, though, I think this bill also shows that, even as 
partisanship runs through Congress, support for Israel remains rock 
solid and bipartisan. Democrats and Republicans, as I said before, are 
here on the floor together saying that we need to support the U.S.-
Israel relationship and defending Israel's inherent right to self-
defense.
  With more than two-thirds of Congress cosponsoring this legislation, 
I think the message to Israel's detractors is clear: The United States 
will stand with the Jewish state for now and forever.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, what an honor it is to yield 1 minute 
to our esteemed majority leader, Mr. Cantor, the coauthor of this 
important legislation.
  Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentlelady from Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on the bipartisan U.S.-Israel 
Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This bill reaffirms Israel's right 
to defend itself against threats and puts the Congress on record about 
America's long-standing commitment to the U.S.-Israel strategic 
relationship, a unique and special relationship founded on shared 
interests and shared democratic values.

                              {time}  1340

  My friend, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and I introduced this 
legislation to ensure that, during a time of such instability, threats 
to Israeli and American security will be answered with strength and 
resolve.
  Unfortunately, even during periods of calm, Israel lives in a tough 
neighborhood; and because our national interests are so often linked, 
Israel is often at the front lines of responding to threats to both of 
our security. This is true when it comes to a shared fight against 
radical Islamist terrorism, and it is certainly true when it comes to 
Iran. This bill reiterates that our investment in Israel's security is 
an investment in our own security.
  I want to thank Mr. Hoyer as well as Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and 
Ranking Member Howard Berman, who joined us in drafting this 
legislation. I thank them for their hard work and for their

[[Page H2485]]

steadfast leadership as defenders of our great ally in the Middle East.
  The strong bipartisan support for this bill speaks to the importance 
and the urgency with which we must address and enhance Israel's ability 
to defend itself during a period of profound transition and 
instability.
  Mr. Speaker, nearly 300 members of both parties have sponsored this 
bill, and we hope to have many more in the final count. The House has 
always demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to the U.S.-Israel 
relationship, and today we say again, we refuse to send mixed messages 
when it comes to America's support for Israel. Today we demonstrate 
congressional support for important steps to make Israel and America 
more secure.
  Among other things, the bill encourages the President to provide 
additional assistance to support U.S.-Israel joint missile defense 
efforts, such as Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow; allocate 
additional weaponry and munitions to the forward-deployed U.S. 
stockpile located in Israel; strengthen multilateral efforts to prevent 
weapons smuggling into Gaza and to protect against terrorism from the 
Sinai Peninsula; expand already close intelligence cooperation between 
the U.S. and Israel; protect Israel's Qualitative Military Edge and 
ensure that Israel remains the preeminent military power in the region; 
lobby against and veto the outrageous parade of one-sided, anti-Israel 
resolutions at the United Nations every year. The bill also extends the 
long-standing loan guarantee program for Israel, recognizing its 
perfect record of repaying its loans on time and in full.
  Mr. Speaker, this could be a very hot summer in the Middle East:
  Egypt is likely to elect an Islamist government. While we all hope 
Egypt's new government keeps the peace that has held for 30 years, the 
future is uncertain;
  Syria is consumed by civil war, with a vicious dictator backed by 
Iran and Hezbollah, murdering his own citizens, fueling sectarian 
tensions, and giving rise to radicalism;
  Iran continues its decades-long effort to acquire a nuclear weapons 
capability. Sanctions may be hurting Iran's economy, but Iran's leaders 
thus far remain wedded to pursue their dangerous goal. Iran continues 
to support terrorism, providing lethal support to Hezbollah, Hamas, and 
the Taliban.
  The United States and Israel share an important strategic goal: 
preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and 
combating its terrorist proxies.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill recognizes the profound threats the U.S. and 
Israel face in the region and reiterates our commitment to standing 
side by side with Israel during this pivotal and dangerous period of 
transition and instability, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the other main cosponsor of this 
legislation, our Democratic whip, a leader for so many years on the 
issue of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend for yielding.
  I've known Mr. Berman for almost half a century. He has been an 
extraordinary leader, as a young person, as chairman of this committee, 
as ranking member on this committee, and I want to thank him for his 
leadership on this issue. He has been instrumental.
  I want to thank my dear friend in whose district I used to live so 
many years ago, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chairman of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee, thank her for her leadership and her commitment. She 
has been a stalwart.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when there is great disagreement on a number 
of important issues, we are reminded today that Democrats and 
Republicans stand together when it comes to supporting our friend and 
ally Israel.
  I am proud to be a lead cosponsor of the U.S.-Israel Enhanced 
Security Cooperation Act, along with my friend, the Republican leader, 
Mr. Cantor, who just spoke.
  This bill enshrines in law the deeper military and security 
cooperation that the Obama administration has forged with Israel and 
made a very high priority. President Obama's predecessor, President 
Bush, responsible for forging and continuing that relationship, as were 
his predecessors.
  Today, with greater uncertainty in the Middle East and the continued 
pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran, close security cooperation between 
the United States and Israel has never been more important.
  I have visited Israel 12 times, and I've seen firsthand how Israelis 
have achieved so much with so little. Investment in Israel's security 
and Israel's success yield real benefits to the United States through 
shared intelligence, technological exchange, and trade. Investments in 
Israel also strengthen our security because our countries share, not 
just values, but strategic interests, including preventing Iran from 
developing nuclear weapons.
  Iran, as we all know, has been a destabilizing force in a volatile 
part of the world so closely linked with global energy supplies and 
where American troops are stationed. In response, this administration 
has coordinated with our European allies to impose the strongest 
sanctions Iran has ever faced.
  This bill will enable even closer military and security ties with 
Israel so we can further deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons 
capability and work together--work together--to recreate and to combat 
terrorism that threatens both of our countries.
  I want to recognize, in particular, the hard work of my friend and 
colleague, as I said earlier, Howard Berman, the ranking Democrat on 
the Foreign Affairs Committee. He and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen have been a 
real team, real partners in this effort, as I and Mr. Cantor have been. 
Mr. Berman has been instrumental in securing funding for the Iron Dome 
antimissile defense system that was jointly developed and will be 
deployed on Israel's borders to protect against short-range missiles 
Iran provides to terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, thousands 
of those missiles.
  As Israel continues its pursuit of secure peace, we in Congress will 
continue to stand together in support of Israel and in recognition of 
the values and ideas our countries share.
  This resolution, in part, is so that there will be clarity, that 
there will be no confusion. There needs to be a clear understanding of 
all those who would threaten Israel, that the United States stands with 
her, because it is in our, the United States', security interest to do 
so, and because it is morally and ethically the right thing to do as 
well.
  We all hope for two states, living side by side peacefully, with 
families secure, that they can raise their children in a future that 
will bring peace and prosperity and tranquillity in a troubled 
neighborhood of the world.
  I urge my colleagues to enthusiastically support this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), an esteemed member of our 
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  Mr. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution. 
Having had the opportunity to visit Israel last summer, I think that 
Netanyahu put it best when he says: In this region of the world, we are 
you and you are us.
  We not only share the same value systems, we share the same beliefs 
and the same threats that Israel faces, not just from time to time but 
every day. So it is absolutely critical for this partnership that we 
have, the relationship between the United States and Israel, to go 
forward.
  And the message needs to come from this House that from today and 
forever more, the United States will always be standing strong with 
Israel, standing with Israel in every issue. And in the neighborhood 
which has been referred to by our colleagues that Israel exists in, the 
most dangerous and unstable area in the world today, it is absolutely 
critical that we reaffirm our relationship with Israel and our support 
for Israel.

                              {time}  1350

  The Iron Dome is actually the most critical piece of defense that 
Israel has. It protects it from a neighborhood that wishes to destroy 
it and annihilate it.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank my good friend from California. We just 
have a few more speakers.

[[Page H2486]]

  Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania, Dr. Murphy, a member of the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce.
  Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Israel is our friend and our ally. Israel 
is an island of democracy that supports freedom and religious 
tolerance. It is where a Christian church, a mosque, and a synagogue 
will peacefully exist on the same street. In neighboring countries, 
Christians are prohibited from building churches or are prohibited from 
assembling to worship, and in some cases their churches are burned 
down.
  Israel respects and preserves the rich history of many faiths and 
cultures. Israel promotes invention, creativity, and economic 
development. Neighboring countries, like Iran, are committed to 
developing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them, and it 
avows to annihilate Israel and to commit genocide against its people. 
Israel is fighting terrorist groups, like Hamas and Hezbollah, and has 
suffered real attacks and the threats of future attacks of tens of 
thousands of rockets rained down upon its people. Israel needs and has 
every right to develop defenses such as the Iron Dome, David's Sling, 
and the Arrow missile to defend itself from these very real threats.
  Israel has been there for us during times of threat and times of 
peace, and we will be there for them. Israel has been a partner in 
medical, scientific, and technological innovations. Israel has stood 
with us to fight terrorist threats against our Nation and other 
freedom-loving nations. For these reasons and more, there are several 
facts which we must recognize and support:
  Israel has a right to defend itself. We will stand firm with them. We 
will not turn a deaf ear to the anti-Semitic language and to those 
nations who speak it. We cannot and will not be a part of the dangerous 
indifference of nations and people to say it is not our problem. We 
will not be a part of the denial among those who refuse to see the 
hatred and threat from Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and other nations. We will 
support Prime Minister Netanyahu's call for negotiated peace with the 
Palestinian Authority of a two-state solution.
  So let us approve H.R. 4133, and let us show that when we say ``never 
again'' that we mean it, because the cost of passivity--the cost of 
doing nothing--is far too expensive in lives and money.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), who is a member of our Foreign 
Affairs Committee and also a member of the Homeland Security and 
Natural Resources Committees.
  Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. I thank the chairwoman for giving me 
this opportunity to talk about the reason the United States should 
stand with Israel.
  I brought my oldest son with me. He is in the gallery today. His name 
is Graham. I wanted him to hear, and people of his generation to hear, 
and to understand that America stands with Israel, that we were there 
at the beginning of the foundation of that nation.
  We understand the threats that exist in the world today and that, 
when you have an ally, you never abandon the ally, and you never try to 
change that ally to meet your vision of the world. You stand with them 
unconditionally. America stands with Israel in the defense of that 
nation. We stand with Israel in the prosperity of that nation. We stand 
with Israel in the good times and in the bad times. We've been there 
from the beginning. We will be there today, and we will be there 
tomorrow.
  It is important for this generation to understand that America plays 
a very vital role in standing with someone who has stood with us time 
and time again.
  May God continue to bless America, and may God continue to bless the 
State of Israel.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded that they are not to 
refer to occupants of the gallery.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
  (Mr. SMITH of New Jersey asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank the distinguished gentlelady, the 
chairwoman of our committee, for her great leadership on all things 
related to the Middle East, especially in the defense of Israel. I 
thank my good friend and colleague Mr. Berman. These two individuals 
work so hard every day for the peace and security of Israel, and I 
congratulate them.
  I also thank Eric Cantor, the author, along with the distinguished 
gentlelady and Mr. Berman and Mr. Hoyer, for bringing before the House 
the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012. 
This bill reaffirms and modernizes the U.S. commitment to and 
cooperation with our great friend and ally Israel. This is a must-pass 
bill because our commitment is--and it must be perceived to be--
unequivocal.
  I would say to my friends and colleagues that, because of the 
dangerous and escalating threats, including genocide, that are facing 
Israel today, we must reiterate unanimously in this body today our 
support for the nation of Israel.
  Freedom House's annual report on the world, which assesses the 
political and civil liberties of nearly every nation in the world, 
shows that Israel is surrounded by nations that profoundly disrespect 
the political and civil liberties of their own citizens, often using 
torture and all kinds of means of hate against their own people, and of 
course they foment that hate towards Israel. This includes Iran, Syria, 
and many in the Gaza that have human rights records that are among the 
worst in the world.
  As we all know, some of Israel's neighbors openly question Israel's 
right to exist. Iran's anti-Semitic leader, Ahmadinejad, has repeatedly 
threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. I would note 
parenthetically that Iran is a signer of the Genocide Convention and 
that it has been since it ratified it back in 1956.
  Where is the United Nations, especially with regard to those who 
enforce the Genocide Convention, when those kinds of barbaric 
statements are made by the likes of Ahmadinejad? With this bill, Mr. 
Speaker, the United States underscores and reiterates our unshakable 
commitment to Israel. With this bill, the U.S. reaffirms--in word and 
in deed--our commitment to the defense of the Jewish state. 
Specifically, the bill enhances Israel's ability to defend itself.
  Superior deterrence remains among the best guarantors of peace, and 
that has certainly been the case in the Middle East. When Israel's 
military superiority was unclear in the eyes of its enemies soon after 
it was created, soon after Israel became a state, Israel was tested 
repeatedly with war. Of course, Israel won those wars decisively. Since 
then, Israel's military superiority has been clear and compelling. So 
in response, Israel's enemies have relied on the tactics of the bully 
and of the coward, especially with their use of terrorism. They have 
attacked with Gaza rockets, with the intifada, with the flotilla; and 
Israel's task has been to overcome those deadly aggressions.
  Again, this bill provides a clear commitment by the United States to 
our great friend and ally, the State of Israel.
  Overcoming aggression is a daunting task--particularly for a country 
so small and vastly outnumbered--but Israel has been up to the task. 
And it's our country's moral obligation to give them every assistance. 
With this bill, Israel will be better equipped for any scenario as it 
fulfills its solemn duty to protect its own people from harm.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4133 also specifies further assistance for several 
programs where it will be most effective in deterring attack and 
defending Israel, including for the Iron Dome, Israel's successful 
means of defending against missiles, rockets, and other projectiles 
targeting Israeli homes and businesses.
  H.R. 4133 also expands U.S. military and civilian cooperation with 
Israel, including an offer to the Israeli Air Force for additional 
training opportunities in the United States to compensate for Israel's 
limited air space, and other enhanced cooperation on intelligence 
sharing.
  Israel has shown itself to be a good friend to the United Sates, not 
only setting the standard for democracy and human rights in the region, 
but by being trustworthy with loans--always repaying loans on time and 
in full. This bill recognizes Israel's dependability with an extension 
of the long-standing loan guarantee program for Israel.

[[Page H2487]]

  Finally, this bill reaffirms that the only viable option for peace 
and security in the region is an Israeli state and Palestinian state 
existing side-by-side. The Palestinian Authority and surrounding 
nations should take note. H.R. 4133 makes crystal clear the United 
States will not stand for terrorist threats or political shenanigans at 
the UN attacking Israel and attempting to bypass the hard work of 
forging a nation.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4133 makes our country's alliance relationship an 
even more effective agent for deterring war and defending Israel in the 
tragic event of war. I am proud to support this bill, and thank my good 
friend Mr. Cantor for introducing it.
  Mr. BERMAN. I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green).
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank the chairman; I thank the ranking 
member; and I thank all who support this piece of legislation.
  This is but a reaffirmation of our support to our ally Israel. I 
think that it gives us an opportunity to make it clear that Israel has 
the complete support of the United States of America.
  Israel has been one of the beacons of democracy in the neighborhood. 
It does have elections, and it does have opportunities for government 
to change. These are the kinds of things that we value in this country: 
the rights of people to make a difference in their own lives.
  Aside from this, we have a duty, when one country has been threatened 
with complete elimination, to do what we can to prevent this. I think 
that this is a part of that prevention that will help make a 
difference.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Gohmert), a member of the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. GOHMERT. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  I appreciate the wonderful work our chair has done to work with the 
ranking member on this issue.
  It is critical that the world know how united this Congress is behind 
our ally Israel. It's a maxim in history, it's a truth that when a 
nation's enemies see their strongest ally turning against them, that is 
when their enemies move against that nation.
  We saw a couple of years ago when this administration voted with 
Israel's enemies to require that Israel disclose certain of its 
weapons. It was shortly after that that a flotilla challenged the 
blockade at the Gaza Strip. That's how it works. When a nation's 
enemies see an ally that may be turning against a nation, they move 
against that nation.
  This is what is so important, that we show the world that when it 
comes to this issue, we may bicker back and forth about all kinds of 
things, but when it comes to support for Israel--the analogy could be 
applicable here, that it is a miner's canary. When Israel is under 
attack, it's a potential attack on all of the rest of those who love 
liberty as well.
  I agree with Mr. Hoyer, our friend from Maryland, when he says that 
Israel's enemies need to know that when it comes to support for Israel, 
we have solidarity and complete support for our friend. Israel's 
enemies need to know that, and the world needs to know that. And I'm 
very grateful for leadership on both sides for making that clear to the 
world and to Israel's enemies.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  We've had a group of speakers come down to the floor, including the 
majority leader, the Democratic whip, the chair of the committee, and a 
number of other Members to talk about our solidarity with Israel, the 
U.S.-Israel relationship, the bipartisan nature of it.
  To the extent there was an implication--which I heard--from the last 
speaker that this is not a view shared by this administration, I just 
want to rise and indicate how wrong such an implication is. The 
President of the United States has indicated that these bonds are 
unbreakable. He has raised the level of security cooperation and 
intelligence sharing to unprecedentedly high levels between the United 
States and Israel. He is leading the international effort to get Iran 
to abandon its nuclear weapons program. He has stood with Israel in the 
wake of the Goldstone Report, in the wake of the efforts of the Human 
Rights Commission to demonize and delegitimize Israel, and in the 
context of vetoing resolutions which unfairly single out Israel on a 
number of issues. Any implication to the contrary is unfounded and 
seeks to undercut the very bipartisan nature of the support that is so 
essential to this relationship.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time, 
and I thank my good friend from California (Mr. Berman) for his 
leadership role in bringing this bill to the floor today. I thank our 
majority leader, Mr. Cantor, as well as the minority whip, Mr. Hoyer.
  This bill before us, Madam Speaker, the United States-Israel Enhanced 
Security Cooperation Act, is an important one. It sends a clear signal 
and a clear message throughout the world, to our friends and to our 
enemies, that the United States stands foursquare with our 
indispensable ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. This bill is 
a reaffirmation of our staunch commitment to Israel's security, its 
right to self-defense, and its right to exist. It is a testament to our 
friendship with Israel that has served us so well for the last 64 
years, and will continue to serve us well for many generations to come. 
And it is a pledge that the United States and Israel, continuing to 
work together, will address the challenges to our common security so 
that we can ensure a safe, prosperous, and free future for both of our 
Nations.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4133, the United States-Israeli 
Security Cooperation Act expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. 
take actions to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge with 
advanced missile defense systems and ``specialized munitions'' to 
protect Israel in a time of significant change in the region, as well 
as to respond to the threat posed by Iran. I strongly support Israel's 
security and believe that the United States has an important role to 
play in ensuring regional peace. I am concerned that the language in 
this bill could pave the path for war with Iran.
  At a time when the United States and Iran are making significant 
progress in their first direct negotiations in years, legislation that 
draws the line at a nuclear capable Iran undermines the talks. Indeed, 
as Trita Parsi, a leading expert on Iran points out, it is likely that 
a negotiated deal with Iran under the framework of the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty will allow for enrichment for 
peaceful purposes on Iranian soil under strict inspections. Preventing 
a disastrous war and a nuclear-weapons free Iran will require that the 
United States and the international community fully support such 
negotiations.
  Many experts agree that a preemptive military strike on Iran would 
only delay their nuclear program. Top U.S. military officials such as 
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have plainly stated that Iran has not 
acquired a nuclear weapon. Even former Israeli intelligence officials, 
including the former heads of the Shin Bet and the Mossad, have joined 
the chorus of top U.S. military brass in opposing a preemptive military 
strike against Iran.
  Sustained, diplomatic engagement with Iran is the only way to achieve 
transparency and a nuclear-weapons free Iran. Any Congressional effort 
to limit or undermine the President's authority to pursue diplomacy 
with Iran and to encourage the use of military force against Iran must 
be opposed.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer clarification of my views 
regarding H.R. 4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security 
Cooperation Act of 2012. I voted in favor of this legislation, but I 
feel it is important to note some specific points.
  First, I agree with the finding that highlights recent instability in 
the Middle East-North Africa region in the wake of the Arab Spring. 
When protests started 14 months ago, I spoke about my hopes for 
peaceful transitions to democracy, but I also cautioned that history 
teaches it is often difficult to establish the rule of law and respect 
for human rights after authoritarian governments are overthrown. We all 
hoped that the desire for democracy would bring both peace and justice 
to a troubled region, and I am saddened to see that political 
instability and, too often, a lack of respect for the rights of 
individuals and of minorities, are beginning to have far-reaching 
effects.
  That said, I must note that while I am a staunch supporter of 
Israel's right to defend itself, H.R. 4133 ought to be more precise in 
its statement that it is U.S. policy to ``provide Israel the military 
capabilities necessary to deter and defend itself by itself against any 
threats.'' The bill does not specify which party--the U.S. or Israel--
makes the decision regarding which capabilities may be necessary. The 
United States should always

[[Page H2488]]

maintain the final say when considering sale or provision of its 
military capabilities. It is good that the bill states that Israel will 
``defend itself by itself,'' which makes plain that no one is asking 
for U.S. troops to be committed to the region through this bill. 
Hopefully, the time will never come when that might be necessary. If it 
does, America will make that decision based on the situation at the 
time.
  In addition, Sec. 4(a)(3) contains the Sense of Congress that the 
U.S. should ``allocate additional weaponry and munitions for the 
forward-deployed United States stockpile in Israel.'' I want to be 
clear that by no means do I interpret this as an endorsement of 
forward-deployed American nuclear weapons in Israel. Such an action 
would require the explicit authorization of Congress under separate 
legislation.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4133, as a 
cosponsor of the bill and to encourage my colleagues to support this 
important piece of legislation.
  Since the Truman Administration, we as a Nation have worked with the 
people of Israel to establish and support a close economic, cultural 
and strategic partnership based on a common respect for democracy and a 
commitment to the goal of creating a lasting peace in the Middle East. 
Today, that partnership is among the strongest shared by any two 
countries.
  Israel exists in a geographical region of paramount economic and 
strategic importance to the United States and the American people 
recognize that ensuring a safe and secure Israel is in the long-term 
national security interests of our country.
  In support of the Israeli Government's efforts to protect its people, 
the U.S. has helped Israel develop a missile defense system; we have 
committed ourselves to the task of preventing Iran from acquiring 
nuclear weapons; and the U.S. has led the way against attempts to use 
international forums to delegitimize the State of Israel.
  It is in a similar vein that we consider H.R. 4133 today.
  Among other things, this measure would allocate additional weaponry 
and munitions for Israel in the wake of the withdrawal of United States 
forces from Iraq; expand Israel's authority to make purchases under the 
Foreign Military Financing program on a commercial basis; encourage an 
expanded role for Israel within NATO; and require the President to 
submit a report on the status of Israel's qualitative military edge in 
light of current trends and instability in the region.
  By expressing our support for the economic and strategic security of 
Israel at this critical time in its history, we send an unambiguous 
message about our unshakable commitment to the security of Israel.
  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4133, the 
United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, which 
unfortunately is another piece of one-sided and counterproductive 
foreign policy legislation. This bill's real intent seems to be more 
saber-rattling against Iran and Syria, and it undermines U.S. 
diplomatic efforts by making clear that the U.S. is not an honest 
broker seeking peace for the Middle East.
  The bill calls for the United States to significantly increase our 
provision of sophisticated weaponry to Israel, and states that it is to 
be U.S. policy to ``help Israel preserve its qualitative military 
edge'' in the region.
  While I absolutely believe that Israel--and any other nation--should 
be free to determine for itself what is necessary for its national 
security, I do not believe that those decisions should be underwritten 
by U.S. taxpayers and backed up by the U.S. military.
  This bill states that it is the policy of the United States to 
``reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security 
of the State of Israel as a Jewish state.'' However, according to our 
Constitution the policy of the United States Government should be to 
protect the security of the United States, not to guarantee the 
religious, ethnic, or cultural composition of a foreign country. In 
fact, our own Constitution prohibits the establishment of any 
particular religion in the U.S.
  More than 20 years after the reason for NATO's existence--the Warsaw 
Pact--has disappeared, this legislation seeks to find a new mission for 
that anachronistic alliance: the defense of Israel. Calling for ``an 
expanded role for Israel within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
(NATO), including an enhanced presence at NATO headquarters and 
exercises,'' it reads like a dream for interventionists and the 
military industrial complex. As I have said many times, NATO should be 
disbanded not expanded.
  This bill will not help the United States, it will not help Israel, 
and it will not help the Middle East. It will implicitly authorize much 
more U.S. interventionism in the region at a time when we cannot afford 
the foreign commitments we already have. It more likely will lead to 
war against Syria, Iran, or both. I urge my colleagues to vote against 
this bill.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for 
H.R. 4133, a simple bill that will demonstrate our ongoing commitment 
to Israel, and will enhance our efforts to strengthen Israel's own 
defensive capabilities. Our goal, like Israel's own, is that Israel can 
defend itself, by itself. This objective of self-reliance is one of the 
elements that makes Israel stand out.
  Israelis, from the very beginning, have understood that it is their 
own efforts that will ultimately determine the future of their state. 
It is this realization and an absolute determination to provide a 
better, safer future for their children that has enabled the Jewish 
state to succeed so magnificently in a region choked with hatred and 
violence reserved for them alone.
  Israel's military superiority is a necessity because so many of 
Israel's neighbors still will not accept Israel's sovereignty and the 
right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their own historic 
homeland. Israel's security need not come at the expense of the 
Palestinian people's legitimate aspirations for independence and 
sovereignty. But those dreams of independence and sovereignty 
absolutely must not come at the expense of Israel's security.
  As Iran continues to move toward a nuclear capability--that it must 
never, ever achieve--it is more critical than ever that we demonstrate 
our support and commitment to Israel's security, which this bill does.
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation.
  As a life-long supporter of our most important ally in the Middle 
East, Israel, I am pleased that the United States and Israel have built 
a strong, unique and special relationship. I have had the pleasure of 
traveling to Israel on many occasions, and I clearly understand Israeli 
concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions. These visits have only 
reinforced my strong conviction that the world needs Israel to survive 
and thrive for all that Israel represents and that Israel has the right 
to defend her citizens. The bill before us will do that by 
strengthening existing channels of security cooperation between America 
and Israel, as well as creating some new ones.
  The political changes that are sweeping through North Africa and the 
Middle East are creating new uncertainties for the United States and 
Israel. The revolutions that are underway may not produce the much-
hoped for democratic ``Arab Spring''. Even now in Egypt, extremists are 
fomenting inter-religious and ethnic hatreds that have sparked fresh 
violence. And we know that conventional weapons formerly in the late 
Colonel Qaddafi's arsenal have made their way into the hands of 
extremists in the region. H.R. 4133 is another reminder to the region 
and the world that America will stand by Israel during these 
increasingly chaotic and uncertain times.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, once again the U.S. House is acting on 
legislation, this time H.R. 4133, to restate what has been stated 
frequently in Congress, by President Obama, and by virtually every 
candidate running for federal office in the United States: that the 
U.S. and the State of Israel have a special bilateral and a very 
important strategic relationship. Congress strongly supports the State 
of Israel and we demonstrate our support annually by providing many 
billions of dollars in direct taxpayer funded assistance to ensure 
Israel's security. As a former member of the State and Foreign 
Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I have helped to pass funding, 
often in excess of $3 billion in foreign aid, to ensure Israel's 
security.
  While Congress is ever mindful of Israel's security, we have a 
Constitutional duty to first and foremost protect and defend the 
security of the United States. No one is more aware of this than 
President Obama. Over the past year, the Obama Administration has been 
leading a coalition of nations to peacefully prevent Iran--through 
tough economic sanctions--from starting down the path to developing a 
nuclear weapon. These sanctions are working and they must be allowed to 
continue to work. I fully support the efforts of the Obama 
Administration and our allies to keep the pressure on Iran.
  The Government of Israel has also been focused on Iran and has 
articulated repeatedly that a unilateral military strike against Iran 
is a possibility. According to the Washington Post on February 2, 2012:
  ``U.S. officials fear being blindsided by an Israeli strike that 
could have widespread economic and security implications and might only 
delay, not end, Iran's nuclear pursuit.
  `` `The Obama administration is concerned that Israel could attack 
Iranian nuclear facilities this year, having given Washington little or 
no warning,' said Cliff Kupchan, a former State Department official who 
specialized in Iran policy during the Clinton administration and 
recently returned from meetings with Israeli officials. He said `Israel 
has refused to assure Washington that prior notice would be provided.'
  ``Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is one of several administration 
officials to express concern publicly that Israel is positioning itself 
for a surprise attack. Last month, the administration dispatched the 
Joint Chiefs chairman,

[[Page H2489]]

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, to the Israeli capital for high level 
discussions about the possibility of a unilateral Israeli strike. 
`Israel has indicated they're considering this, and we have indicated 
our concerns,' Panetta told reporters.''
  While Israel's prime minister has not been shy about the possibility 
of an Israeli military strike, the consequences of such action would be 
significant for the U.S. According to the New York Times on February 
29, 2012, ``American officials who have assessed the likely Iranian 
responses to any attack by Israel on its nuclear program believe that 
Iran would retaliate by launching missiles on Israel and terrorist-
style attacks on United States civilian and military personnel 
overseas.''
  Despite the strong belief that Israeli military action against Iran 
would result in direct attacks on Americans and American interests, 
many right-wing politicians seem to believe that Americans and members 
of our armed forces, after eleven years of war in Afghanistan and nine 
years of war in Iraq, are desirous of a war with Iran precipitated by 
unilateral Israeli military action. As one Middle East expert stated, 
``Israel can commence a war with Iran, but it may well take U.S. 
involvement to conclude it.''
  Let me be clear, I do not want U.S. forces engaged in a war with 
Iran. My constituents do not want a war with Iran. Clearly, I do not 
want to see Iran developing nuclear weapons, but the Obama 
Administration and the international community are working to keep the 
pressure on the leadership in Tehran.
  In February and March of 2012, the neo-conservative ``go to war with 
Iran'' echo chamber was appallingly reminiscent of 2002 when the Bush 
Administration (along with many of the same conservative pundits who 
are supportive of an Israeli attack on Iran today) declared the 
definitive presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq a threat to 
U.S. national security. The result of their deception is now well 
known. We have seen this same march to war before, built on a 
foundation of half-truths, distorted intelligence, and politically 
motivated deceit.
  President Obama has called out those who would send other peoples' 
sons and daughters to war, but never put themselves in harm's way. 
Addressing the annual AIPAC conference in Washington on March 4, 2012, 
the New York Times reported President Obama as saying, ``Already, there 
is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks such talk has 
only benefited the Iranian government by driving up the price of oil, 
which they depend on to fund their nuclear program. For the sake of 
Israel's security, America's security and the peace and security of the 
world, now is not the time for bluster.''
  To be clear, an Iran armed with nuclear weapons would be a serious 
threat to the stability of the Middle East and to the security of the 
United States and our allies. America's top intelligence analysts, 
however, have repeatedly stated that there is no concrete evidence that 
Iran has yet decided to build a nuclear bomb. In his January 2012 
testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Director 
of National Intelligence James Clapper stated that ``they are certainly 
moving on that path, but we don't believe they have actually made the 
decision to go ahead with a nuclear weapon.''
  Yet today, the House of Representatives is voting on H.R. 4133 which 
calls upon the U.S. to provide Israel with ``defense articles and 
defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air 
refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and specialized 
munitions.' By providing this specialized military capacity--all 
required by Israel for an airstrike on Iran--the U.S. would be removing 
the very limiting factors that may be preventing Israel from launching 
an attack that could draw the U.S. into another war.
  The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2006 to 2009, 
Michael Hayden, has been quoted as saying that airstrikes capable of 
seriously setting back Iran's nuclear program were ``beyond the 
capacity'' of Israel, in part because of distance that aircraft would 
have to travel and the scale of the task, according to a February 19, 
2012 New York Times article entitled, ``Iran Raid Seen as a Huge Task 
for Israeli Jets.''
  The same Times article states, ``Israel has American-built F 15I and 
F 16I fighter jets that can carry bombs to the targets, but their 
range--depending on altitude, speed and payload--falls far short of the 
minimum 2,000 mile round trip. . .Israel would have to use airborne 
refueling planes, called tankers, but Israel is not thought to have 
enough.''
  The same article identifies ``another major hurdle is Israel's 
inventory of bombs capable of penetrating the Natanz (nuclear) 
facility, believed to be buried under 30 feet of reinforced concrete, 
and the Fordo site, which is built into a mountain. Assuming it does 
not use a nuclear device, Israel has American-made GBU 28 5,000 pound 
`bunker buster' bombs that could damage such hardened targets, although 
it is unclear how far down they can go.''
  By supplying air refueling tanks and bunker buster bombs to Israel 
that would then be used in a military strike against Iran, the U.S, 
would be explicitly supporting the military action in the eyes of the 
Iranians and the world, even if Israel never notified the U.S. of its 
actual intent to strike. Such a level of vulnerability and exposure on 
the part of the U.S. is not tolerable. Israel is an ally, but their 
primary interest is their own national security, not the security of 
the U.S.
  On a final note, the fact that the New York Times referenced that 
Israel has the option of using a ``nuclear device'' against the Iranian 
targets should be cause for tremendous alarm for Americans. Even the 
consideration of using a nuclear weapon against Iran to prevent it from 
pursuing a nuclear weapons program should be categorically rejected by 
Israel, the U.S., and all nations committed to nuclear non-
proliferation. The worst kept secret in the world is that Israel 
possesses nuclear weapons. The U.S. and this Congress should be 
guaranteed that our ally, Israel, will never use those weapons as a 
first-strike capability.
  Israel's security is important and I have voted dozens of times to 
provide funds, weapons, and support. H.R. 4133 is more than ``a sense 
of Congress,'' more than feelings. It sends a signal to the world that 
Israel should be provided with the military capacity by the U.S. to 
strike Iran. That I do not support.
  Out of respect for the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship I 
intend to vote ``present'' on H.R. 4133, but I must express my strong 
opposition to endorsing any actions by a foreign power that could 
potentially drag the U.S. into a military conflict with Iran.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I will be voting today 
for H.R. 4133 because I agree with its two basic premises. The alliance 
between the United States and Israel, including military support, is of 
critical importance. And we must prevent Iran from developing nuclear 
weapons capability.
  I cast this vote, however, with serious reservations about both the 
bill's timing and its content. There is no question that a nuclear-
capable Iran poses a grave threat not only to Israel, but to the United 
States and other nations. We must ensure that we have every tool 
available at our disposal to dissuade if possible and prevent if 
necessary the Iranian regime from developing nuclear weapons or the 
capability to produce such weapons from stockpiled materials and 
components.
  Among these vital tools are a combination of diplomatic and economic 
mechanisms of the sort that I have frequently supported in the past--
including the Iran Threat Reduction Act, which also passed with 
overwhelming bipartisan support earlier in this Congress--that have 
often exerted effective pressures on Iran, hindering and deterring the 
development of nuclear capabilities. Military attacks on Iranian 
facilities by American or Israeli forces must be regarded as absolutely 
a last resort, fraught with potentially disastrous consequences, some 
quite predictable, some not yet imagined.
  Yet this bill gives little weight or emphasis to critical diplomatic 
and economic measures and at points comes perilously close to signaling 
intent or support for the military option. In fact, the timing of this 
legislation risks being interpreted as a vote of ``no-confidence'' in 
our ongoing efforts to engage diplomatically with Iran. Developments 
such as the so-called ``P5+1'' meetings between the five permanent 
members of the U.N. Security Council, Germany, and Iran--the next 
meeting of which is scheduled to be held in Baghdad two weeks from 
today--are critically important steps toward renewed engagement, with a 
lengthened roster of partners and a tighter sanctions regime. One can 
hope that the resolve expressed in H.R. 4133 might strengthen these 
efforts, but I fear that the bill's timing and some of its provisions 
may also threaten their devaluation.
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H.R. 4133.
  I am a proud co-sponsor of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security 
Cooperation Act which states it is the policy of the United States to 
aid Israel, specifically with the preservation of Israel's qualitative 
military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political 
transformation and the development of advanced technology programs 
between the United States and Israel. The bill expresses the sense of 
Congress that the United States should equip Israel with the necessary 
military capabilities, in order to deter and defend itself against any 
threats; veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United 
Nations Council; support Israel's right to self-defense; and promote 
peaceful negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
  Israel sets the example for the nations of the Middle East, as the 
only true democracy in that region. For the past 63 years, Israel has 
been a sanctuary of democracy and pluralism in a region dominated by 
authoritarian regimes. Israel is the only country in the Middle East 
with free elections, a free press, freedom of religion, protection for 
minority rights and other safeguards typical of a free society. The

[[Page H2490]]

Middle East is experiencing rapid changes. These rapid changes bring 
hope for the expansion of democracy but also great challenges to the 
national security of the United States and our allies in the region, 
particularly Israel. H.R. 4133 reaffirms the United States commitment 
to Israel and the establishment of a peaceful relationship between 
Israel and Palestine.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, which expresses support 
for our strongest Middle Eastern ally and is a matter of national 
security for both Israel and the United States.
  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I am an unwavering supporter of Israel, 
therefore I speak today more in sorrow than in anger. I first want to 
express my esteem for my friend, the gentleman from Maryland Mr. Hoyer. 
I would like to support his legislation, H.R. 4133, the United States-
Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, but it is impossible 
for me to do so. As one who has consistently supported the freedom, 
independence and security of the State of Israel since I was first 
sworn into this great body, I am deeply saddened at the way this matter 
is being handled.
  There is much in this legislation which is good but there is much 
which is unwise and could lead us down a dark and difficult road. I 
fear this legislation is drawn so that it could be considered as a 
blueprint for going to war with Iran. What are the limits on U.S. 
commitments under this legislation? I can find none in H.R. 4133, and 
this troubles me greatly. How would this impact our diplomatic efforts, 
and our negotiations to halt Iran's nuclear program? Would this result 
in increased strife and instability in the Middle East?
  The answers to these questions remain unclear because there have been 
no legislative hearings on this matter, no factual record, and no 
committee report to consider. Everyone in this chamber agrees that 
allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon is unacceptable and that we 
should take every action to prevent such an outcome. However, this does 
not mean that we should rush to vote on this legislation, which has 
never been considered in committee and could have grave consequences 
for our national security, especially as our diplomats are engaged in 
the most delicate of negotiations.
  Experience comes from learning from one's mistakes. I made a blunder 
when I voted for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which was hurried and 
rushed through the House, and I vowed never to make the same error 
again. Many members of this body also made a similar mistake when this 
Congress voted to go to war with Iraq based on faulty intelligence. The 
international community is scheduled to have direct discussions and 
negotiations with Iran on the nuclear issue at the end of the month. At 
the very least we should wait to see the progress of those talks before 
issuing the edicts contained in this legislation today.
  Matters of war and national security should be considered in all due 
diligence, and not be rushed to the floor without the proper 
consideration. I urge everyone to take a step back and consider what we 
are voting on, hold the proper hearings, and have a truly deliberative 
process before we rush off to another war which our Nation can ill 
afford.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This 
bipartisan resolution reaffirms the American people's enduring and 
close relationship with the State of Israel, our partner in peace and 
prosperity in the Middle East.
  This bill performs three main functions:
  One, expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should take 
actions to assist the defense of Israel with advanced missile defense 
systems and intelligence sharing to improve counterterrorism and to 
protect it against Iran's growing nuclear threat.
  Two, requires the President to submit reports to Congress on the 
status of Israel's military edge in light of current trends and 
political instability in the region.
  Three, extends the Administration's authority to provide loan 
guarantees to Israel through FY2015. The current loan guarantee 
program, begun in 2003, has served both nations well. Israel has never 
defaulted on its loans and the Congressional Budget Office has scored 
this provision at no cost.
  Madam Speaker, I have been to Israel on many occasions, most recently 
last summer. Every time I have an opportunity to visit, I am reminded 
of the close ties between our two nations and the strong affinity and 
appreciation the Israeli people have towards the American people's 
friendship and support.
  My time in Israel has also served as a reminder of the dangerous 
world that the people of Israel face on a daily basis, from rocket 
attacks from Hezbollah and Hamas, to threats of nuclear attack by Iran, 
to suicide bombings within their own cities and neighborhoods.
  It is important that this Chamber say with a strong, unified voice 
that we stand with Israel during these difficult times.
  As co-chair of the Democratic Israel Working Group, I call on Members 
from both sides of the aisle to vote in support of this bipartisan 
resolution.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, the United States-Israel Enhanced 
Security Cooperation Act, embodied in H.R. 4133, is another expression 
of the American commitment to our friend and ally, Israel. This 
commitment is already clear and unequivocal. No ally receives stronger 
assurances of support or more money over a sustained period of time.
  This resolution, however, is a missed opportunity for Congress to 
show support for a comprehensive and balanced approached to Middle East 
Peace and Israeli security. No amount of American military assistance 
will fully compensate for the lack of a productive and effective peace 
process.
  A true statement of enhanced security and cooperation would at least 
reference the United States' long standing expectation that Israel 
commit to dealing with theit illegal settlements. Omissions such as 
these do no one a service because, ultimately, they will have to be a 
part of any lasting solution.
  The Obama administration has succeeded in creating an unprecedented 
coalition to impose the most aggressive sanctions on Iran, ever. The 
increasing impact of these sanctions and the significance of this broad 
coalition is a critical development and is a critical part of our 
security endeavors on which H.R. 4133 is strangely silent.
  This fixation on a military response, ignoring some serious 
deficiencies in the Israeli approach, and not recognizing the important 
developments on Iran has turned this bill into another missed 
opportunity.
  As much as I agree with some of the resolution overall, I fear it was 
inadequate and not particularly helpful towards building a stronger and 
more secure Israel in the long-term. There is no excuse for Congress 
not doing better and as a result, I voted ``present'' on H.R. 4133.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ross-Lehtinen) 
that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4133, 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.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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