[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H2109-H2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1500
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2014
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 938) to strengthen the strategic alliance between the United
States and 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. 938
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Declaration of policy.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Sec. 101. Amendments to the United States-Israel Enhanced Security
Cooperation Act of 2012.
Sec. 102. Authorization of assistance for Israel.
Sec. 103. United States-Israel cooperation on cyber-security.
Sec. 104. Statement of United States Policy Regarding Israel's defense
systems.
Sec. 105. Report on other matters.
Sec. 106. Statement of policy.
Sec. 107. Sense of Congress.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION
Sec. 201. United States-Israel energy cooperation.
TITLE III--OFFSET
Sec. 301. Offset.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The turmoil in the Middle East poses a serious threat
to United States national security interests and requires
cooperation with allies that are willing to work with the
United States in pursuit of shared objectives.
(2) The October 31, 1998, Memorandum of Agreement signed by
President Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu commits the
United States to working jointly with Israel towards
enhancing Israel's defensive and deterrent capabilities and
upgrading the framework of the United States-Israel strategic
and military relationships, as well as the technological
cooperation between both countries.
(3) On August 16, 2007, the United States and Israel signed
a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming United States
commitment to the security of Israel and establishing a 10-
year framework for incremental increases in United States
military assistance to Israel.
(4) The Memorandum of Understanding signed two years later
on January 16, 2009 reaffirmed the United States commitment
and noted ``the security, military and intelligence
cooperation between the United States and Israel''.
(5) The United States and Israel conduct a semi-annual
Strategic Dialogue. The Department of State, in a statement
following the July 12, 2012, meeting of the Strategic
Dialogue, noted that the discussions focused on such issues
of mutual concern as ``Iran's continued quest to develop
nuclear weapons, which the United States and Israel are both
determined to prevent'' and ``how the continued violence of
the Syrian regime against its citizens [assisted by Iran and
Hezbollah] could also lead to severe consequences for the
entire region''.
SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Congress declares that Israel is a major strategic partner
of the United States.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED
SECURITY COOPERATION ACT OF 2012.
(a) United States Actions To Assist in the Defense of
Israel and Protect United States Interests.--Section 4 of the
United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of
2012 (Public Law 112-150; 22 U.S.C. 8603) is amended--
(1) by striking ``It is the sense of Congress that the
United States Government should''
[[Page H2110]]
and inserting ``(a) In General.--The President should, to the
maximum extent practicable,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this subsection, the President shall submit
to Congress a report on the implementation of this
section.''.
(b) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--Section
5(a) of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security
Cooperation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-150) is amended to
read as follows:
``(a) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--
``(1) Department of defense appropriations act, 2005.--
Section 12001(d) of the Department of Defense Appropriations
Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011), is amended by
striking `more than 10 years after' and inserting `more than
11 years after'.
``(2) Foreign assistance act of 1961.--Section 514(b)(2)(A)
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2321h(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking `and 2014' and
inserting `, 2014, and 2015'.''.
(c) Amendments to Requirements Relating to Assessment of
Israel's Qualitative Military Edge Over Military Threats.--
(1) Assessment required; reports.--Section 201 of Public
Law 110-429 (122 Stat. 4843; 22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``an ongoing basis'' and
inserting ``a biennial basis''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(2)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``Quadrennial'' and
inserting ``Biennial''; and
(ii) in the text, by striking ``Not later than four years
after the date on which the President transmits the initial
report under paragraph (1), and every four years
thereafter,'' and inserting ``Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of the United States-Israel
Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, and biennially
thereafter,''.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
on--
(i) the range of cyber and asymmetric threats posed to
Israel by state and non-state actors; and
(ii) the joint efforts of the United States and Israel to
address the threats identified in clause (i).
(B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a
classified annex.
(C) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
paragraph, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR ISRAEL.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that Israel has adopted high
standards in the field of export controls, including by
becoming adherent to the Australia Group, the Missile
Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and
the Wassenaar Arrangement control lists, and by enacting
robust legislation and regulations for the control of dual-
use and defense items.
(b) Expedited Licensing Procedures.--
(1) In general.--The President shall direct the Secretary
of State to undertake discussions with Israel to identify the
steps required to be taken to include Israel within the list
of countries described in section 740.20(c)(1) of title 15,
Code of Federal Regulations (relating to eligibility for
Strategic Trade Authorization).
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for
a period of 3 years or until such time that Israel is
included on the list of countries determined as eligible for
the Strategic Trade Authorization, whichever occurs first,
the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate a report on the following:
(i) The current status of negotiations.
(ii) The reasons that Israel has not yet been determined as
eligible for the Strategic Trade Authorization.
(B) Form.--The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified
annex.
(c) Licensing Treatment as MTCR Adherent.--The President
shall direct the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that,
subject to the requirements of section 6(l) of the Export
Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(l)) (as
continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act), Israel is treated no less favorably
than other members or adherents to the Missile Technology
Control Regime designated in Country Group A:2 in Supplement
No. 1 to part 740 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) Overseas Private Investment Corporation.--In carrying
out its authorities under title IV of chapter 2 of part I of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191 et seq.),
the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should consider
giving preference to providing insurance, financing, or
reinsurance for energy and water projects in Israel.
(e) Energy, Water, Agriculture, and Alternative Fuel
Technologies.--
(1) In general.--The President is authorized to carry out
cooperative activities with Israel and to provide assistance
to Israel that promotes cooperation in the fields of energy,
water, agriculture, alternative fuel technologies, and civil
space, where appropriate and pursuant to existing law.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
President is authorized to share and exchange with Israel
research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment,
and personnel that the President determines will advance the
national security interests of the United States and is
consistent with the Strategic Dialogue and pertinent
provisions of law--
(A) by enhancing scientific cooperation between Israel and
the United States; or
(B) by the sale, lease, exchange in kind, or other
techniques the President determines to be suitable.
(f) Cooperative Research Pilot Programs.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting
through the Director of the Homeland Security Advanced
Research Projects Agency and with the concurrence of the
Secretary of State, is authorized to enter into cooperative
research pilot programs with Israel to enhance Israel's
capabilities in the following areas:
(A) Border, maritime, and aviation security.
(B) Explosives detection.
(C) Emergency services.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--For fiscal year 2014,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Homeland Security--
(A) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(A);
(B) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(B); and
(C) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(C).
SEC. 103. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON CYBER-SECURITY.
It is a sense of Congress that the United States and Israel
should take steps and explore avenues to increase cooperation
on cyber-security.
SEC. 104. STATEMENT OF UNITED STATES POLICY REGARDING
ISRAEL'S DEFENSE SYSTEMS.
(a) Findings.--Congress--
(1) commends the first phase completion of the David's
Sling Weapon System (DSWS) by the Israel Missile Defense
Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, which is
designed to provide additional opportunities for interception
by the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon System (Arrow
2 and Arrow 3);
(2) congratulates the Israel Missile Defense Organization
and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on successfully executing
the Arrow 3 flyout of a more advanced interceptor, which will
improve Israel's defenses against upper tier ballistic
missile threats from nations including Iran;
(3) recognizes that during Operation Pillar of Defense in
November 2012, Israel deployed Iron Dome short-range rocket
defense batteries to intercept Hamas-launched rockets fired
from Gaza--of those rockets that posed a threat to the life
of Israeli citizens, 80 to 85 percent were successfully
intercepted, saving countless lives; and
(4) agrees that, as stated by former Secretary of Defense
Leon Panetta, ``Iron Dome performed, I think it's fair to
say, remarkably well during the recent escalation . . . Iron
Dome does not start wars. It helps prevent wars.''.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It should be the policy of the
United States that the President, acting through the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, should
provide assistance, upon request by the Government of Israel,
for the enhancement of the David's Sling Weapon System, the
enhancement of the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon
System (Arrow 2 and Arrow 3), and the procurement and
enhancement of the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense
system for purposes of intercepting short-range rockets,
missiles, and other projectiles launched against Israel.
SEC. 105. REPORT ON OTHER MATTERS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States and Israel should continue
collaborative efforts to enhance Israel's military
capabilities, including through the transfer of advanced
combat aircraft, active phased array radar, military tanker-
transports, other multi-mission military aircraft, advanced
or specialized munitions, and through joint training and
exercise opportunities in the United States;
(2) the United States and Israel should expeditiously
conclude an updated Memorandum of Understanding regarding
United States security assistance in order to help Israel
meet its unique security requirements and uphold its
qualitative military edge;
(3) the United States should ensure that Israel has timely
access to important military equipment, including by
augmenting the forward deployed United States War Reserve
Stockpile in Israel and by continuing to provide Israel with
critical military equipment and spare parts through the
Department of Defense's Excess Defense Articles program; and
(4) the United States should continue to support Israel's
inherent right of self-defense.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that--
[[Page H2111]]
(A) reviews the progress made toward the actions and
efforts identified in the report required under section 6(b)
of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act
of 2012 (Public Law 112-150; 22 U.S.C. 8604(b)); and
(B) provides policy recommendations, if necessary.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) may include
a classified annex.
(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Armed Services of the Senate.
SEC. 106. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It shall be the policy of the United States to include
Israel in the list of countries that participate in the visa
waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) when Israel satisfies, and as
long as Israel continues to satisfy, the requirements for
inclusion in such program specified in such section.
SEC. 107. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State
should continue and, to the furthest extent practicable,
increase its coordination on monitoring and combating anti-
Semitism with the Government of Israel.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION
SEC. 201. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION.
(a) Findings.--Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable'' and
inserting ``covered'';
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``possible many'' and inserting
``possible--
``(A) many'';
(B) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) significant contributions to the development of
renewable energy and energy efficiency through the
established programs of the United States-Israel Binational
Industrial Research and Development Foundation and the United
States-Israel Binational Science Foundation;'';
(3) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting ``covered'';
and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(4) in paragraph (7)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting ``covered'';
and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) United States-Israel energy cooperation, and the
development of natural resources by Israel, are strategic
interests of the United States;
``(9) Israel is a strategic partner of the United States in
water technology;
``(10) the United States can play a role in assisting
Israel with regional safety and security issues;
``(11) the National Science Foundation of the United States
should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation;
``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to
develop more robust academic cooperation in energy innovation
technology and engineering, water science, technology
transfer, and analysis of geopolitical implications of new
natural resource development and associated areas;
``(13) the United States supports the goals of the
Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel;
``(14) the United States strongly urges open dialogue and
continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages
further cooperation between applicable departments, agencies,
ministries, institutions of higher education, and the private
sectors of the United States and Israel on energy security
issues, including--
``(A) identifying policy priorities associated with the
development of natural resources of Israel;
``(B) discussing best practices to secure cyber energy
infrastructure;
``(C) best practice sharing;
``(D) leveraging natural gas to positively impact regional
stability;
``(E) improving energy efficiency and the overall
performance of water technologies through research and
development in water desalination, wastewater treatment and
reclamation, and other water treatment technologies;
``(F) technical and environmental management of deep-water
exploration and production;
``(G) coastal protection and restoration;
``(H) academic outreach and engagement;
``(I) private sector and business development engagement;
``(J) regulatory consultations;
``(K) leveraging alternative transportation fuels and
technologies; and
``(L) any other areas determined appropriate by the United
States and Israel;
``(15) the United States acknowledges the achievements and
importance of the United States-Israel Binational Industrial
Research and Development Foundation and the United States-
Israel Binational Science Foundation and supports continued
multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of
the Foundations; and
``(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest
in addressing their immediate, near-term, and long-term
energy and environmental challenges.''.
(b) Establishment.--Section 917(b)(1) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1))
is amended by striking ``renewable energy or energy
efficiency'' and inserting ``covered energy''.
(c) Types of Energy.--Section 917(b)(2) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(2))
is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Types of'' and inserting
``Covered'';
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(3) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) natural gas energy, including conventional and
unconventional natural gas technologies and natural gas
projects conducted by or in conjunction with the United
States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the United
States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation, and the United States-Israel Science and
Technology Foundation; and
``(I) improvement of energy efficiency and the overall
performance of water technologies through research and
development in water desalination, wastewater treatment and
reclamation, and other water treatment technologies.''.
(d) Eligible Applicants.--Section 917(b)(3) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(3))
is amended by striking ``energy efficiency or renewable'' and
inserting ``covered''.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations; International
Partnerships.--Section 917 of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(e) and (f), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) International Partnerships.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, subject to the
availability of appropriations, enter into cooperative
agreements supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning
involving international partnerships between the Department,
including National Laboratories of the Department, and the
Government of Israel and its ministries, offices, and
institutions.
``(2) Federal share.--The Secretary may not pay more than
50 percent of the costs described in paragraph (1).
``(3) Annual reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate an annual report
that describes--
``(A) actions taken to carry out this subsection; and
``(B) any projects under this subsection for which the
Secretary requests funding.
``(d) United States-Israel Center.--The Secretary may
establish a joint United States-Israel Center based in an
area of the United States with the experience, knowledge, and
expertise in offshore energy development to further dialogue
and collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation
in energy innovation technology and engineering, water
science, technology transfer, and analysis of geopolitical
implications of new natural resource development and
associated areas.''; and
(3) by amending subsection (f) (as redesignated) to read as
follows:
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made
available under section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16231), the Secretary is authorized to use
$2,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this section.''.
(f) Termination.--Subsection (e) of section 917 of the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C.
17337) (as redesignated by subsection (e)(1)) is amended by
striking ``the date that is 7 years after the date of
enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.
TITLE III--OFFSET
SEC. 301. OFFSET.
Section 102(a) of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan
Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-73) is amended by striking
``$1,500,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,487,000,000''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members may have 5 legislative
days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous
materials in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
[[Page H2112]]
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of this legislation. This is the U.S.-Israel
Strategic Partnership Declaration.
I want to begin by thanking the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) and thanking the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Ted Deutch, for
their leadership in authoring this important measure.
Israel's strategic reality has been fundamentally transformed. As it
looks to its borders and looks beyond those borders, the threats to
Israel are changing, and they are growing. These threats challenge
Israel's qualitative military edge and that is its ability to counter
and defeat any credible conventional military threat. It challenges it
in ways that have, perhaps, never been quite so daunting.
Myself, Eliot Engel, Ted Deutch, and others, had an opportunity last
year to travel to Israel to see the effects, see the efforts, by Israel
to counter the rocket attacks that come in from Gaza by Hamas.
I had an opportunity back during the second Lebanon war, during the
war with Hezbollah, to actually see the effects in August of 2006 of
what was happening with rockets firing into Haifa. On a daily basis,
the city was under siege.
There were literally 600 Israelis--Jewish Israelis, Arab Israelis,
Druze Israelis--who were victims of these attacks from the communities
in Haifa who were in the trauma hospital, and every day, these rockets
would rain down.
This was not just the handiwork of Hezbollah and of Hamas that we saw
last year--no. This was with rockets provided by Iran--by Iran and
Syria.
In the rocket attacks that I saw in 2006, those rockets--every one of
them--the cone of those rockets had 80,000 ball bearings, and they
would be fired on schools, on homes, on the hospital itself, that was a
target. That was done to create the maximum number of civilian
casualties.
Well, so it is, in terms of the challenges that Israel faces, again,
those challenges now because Iran is supplying the weaponry.
In response, the Congress continues to do everything in our power to
support Israel from its security to supporting its economy. That is the
intention, Mr. Speaker, of this legislation that Mr. Ted Deutch and Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen have brought before this body. It is a matter of shared
values, shared experiences, and shared interests between the United
States and Israel.
This legislation will not only expedite the provision of critical
security assistance to Israel and require more frequent and detailed
reporting on Israel's qualitative military edge, as well as a report on
joint efforts to address the other threats--asymmetric threats that
Israel faces, but it will also focus on expanding cooperation in areas
of mutual interest by supporting a range of joint activities from civil
space cooperation to homeland security measures.
Finally, it will dramatically expand our cooperation with Israel on
energy production. It will link the two economies in important ways,
and that is why I, again, thank Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ted Deutch for
bringing this legislation before us.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, January 22, 2014.
Hon. Ed Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of
Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing to you concerning the
jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Homeland Security
in matters being considered in H.R. 938, the United States-
Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013.
I recognize the importance of H.R. 938 and the need for the
legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a
valid claim to jurisdiction over certain sections of the
bill, specifically, section 5(f), I do not intend to request
a sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our
mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my
decision to forego a sequential referral waives, reduces or
otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Homeland Security, and that a copy of this letter and your
response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest will be
included in the Committee Report and as part of the
Congressional Record during consideration of this bill by the
House. I also ask that you support my request to name members
of this committee to any conference committee that is
established to consider such provisions.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, January 23, 2014.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act
of 2013. I acknowledge that by forgoing action and not
seeking a sequential referral on this legislation, your
Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction.
I also concur with you that forgoing action on this bill
does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Homeland
Security with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on
this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving
this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and
look forward to working with the Committee on Homeland
Security as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, February 27, 2014.
Hon. Ed Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing with respect to H.R. 938,
the ``United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of
2013,'' which the Committee on Foreign Affairs ordered
reported favorably on January 29, 2014. As a result of your
having consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 938 that fall
within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the
Judiciary, and your agreement to support mutually-agreeable
changes to the legislation, I agree to discharge our
Committee from further consideration of this bill so that it
may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for
consideration.
The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 938 at
this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our
Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation, and asks
that you support any such request.
I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 938, and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Congressional Record during Floor
consideration of H.R. 938.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 27, 2014.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Rayburn House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for agreeing to be
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 938, the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, and for working with
us to incorporate mutually agreeable changes to provisions
within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the
Judiciary.
I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not
in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the
Committee on the Judiciary, or prejudice its jurisdictional
prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the
future. I would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and
look forward to continuing to work with the Committee on the
Judiciary as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
[[Page H2113]]
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, February 28, 2014.
Hon. Edward R. Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing to you regarding H.R.
938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of
2013. This legislation was initially referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (among others).
The bill contains provisions that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
H.R. 938 has been marked up by the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. Based on discussions that the staff of our two
committees have had regarding this legislation and in the
interest of permitting your Committee to proceed
expeditiously to floor consideration of this important
legislation, I am willing to waive further consideration of
this bill. I do so with the understanding that language
specifically requested by the Committee will be included in
the legislation when it is considered on the floor and that
by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology does not waive any future
jurisdictional claim of the subject matters contained in the
bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.
Additionally, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology expressly reserves its authority to seek conferees
on any provision within its jurisdiction during any House-
Senate conference that may be convened on this, or any
similar legislation. I ask for your commitment to support any
request by the Committee for conferees on H.R. 938, as well
as any similar or related legislation.
Further, I ask that a copy of this letter and your response
be included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of H.R. 938.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for
the positive negotiations between our Committees; the result
is an improved bill. I look forward to working with you as
this important measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
____
House of Representatives,
Committees on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 28, 2014.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for agreeing to be
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 938, the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, and for working with
us to incorporate mutually agreeable changes to provisions
within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not
in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of your
Committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives on
this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving
this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and
look forward to continuing to work with the Science Committee
as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 938, the U.S.-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act.
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the
chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and Mr.
Deutch, the ranking member of that subcommittee, for authoring this
legislation and for working tirelessly over the past year to further
refine some of the provisions.
This legislation comes at a critical time in the history of the U.S.-
Israel relationship. On every border, Israel faces instability, at
best, and violence and chaos, at worst.
Syria remains engulfed in a horrific civil war that has left more
than 140,000 people dead. Israel's neighbors, including Lebanon and
Egypt, are plagued by instability.
Iran has not yet abandoned its pursuit of nuclear weapons capability
and continues to terrorize the world with its support for violent
extremism. Iran is the leading supporter of terrorism around the world.
And, under the threat of rocket fire from Gaza, Israel is now
considering new options under a framework for peace with Palestinians
and the Arab world. Hamas still controls the Gaza Strip, and their
disregard for human life is well known.
The U.S. cannot afford to sit idly by. We must be engaged in each of
these issues and support our ally, Israel, the only democracy in the
Middle East.
This legislation before us today is critical because it sends a clear
and unmistakable message to America's foes: America stands with Israel.
Let me repeat that: America stands with Israel.
Now is the time to reaffirm the vital importance we place on the
U.S.-Israel relationship and to pursue new ways to improve our
partnership at every level. Let me say the relationship between the
U.S. and Israel is not a one-way street. It is a two-way street.
We share a love for democracy; we share a love for human rights; and
we share a love and understanding that we share things that are so
important to both countries. It is not, again, just a one-way street.
It is a two-way street.
There is more collaboration between the United States and Israel on
everything, each and every day. The relationship deepens, the
coordination deepens--coordination in terms of military, in terms of
intelligence sharing, in terms of so many other things. Israel is the
best ally the United States has, not in the Middle East, but in the
world.
Specifically, this bill will build on our robust defense cooperation,
increase U.S.-Israel collaboration on cybersecurity, expand U.S.-Israel
energy cooperation, and reaffirm our commitment to Israel missile
defense programs, which have saved many innocent lives, such as the
Iron Dome.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 938, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), the chairman emeritus and Middle East
Subcommittee chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and, of course,
the author of this bill.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, Congressman Ted Deutch and I introduced the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act because we are committed to the
security of our friend and ally in an increasingly volatile Middle
East.
Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel have been instrumental in
getting this important bill to the House floor today. Today is, indeed,
a very significant day in the history of the relationship between the
United States and Israel.
This bill takes the already strong bonds between our two countries
and makes it even stronger. With over 350 Members of Congress having
lent their support to this bill as cosponsors, it is truly a bipartisan
measure.
This bill designates Israel as a major strategic partner of the
United States and extends U.S.-Israeli cooperation in a variety of
areas, including intelligence, homeland security, energy, science,
trade, and so forth. It supports U.S. efforts to help Israel maintain
its qualitative military edge over its neighbors and its foes.
As Israel faces even more dangerous threats than ever before,
particularly now with so much uncertainty and so much violence
spreading throughout the region, and as Iran continues to announce
advancements on its nuclear program due to this weak interim agreement,
Israel needs our support now more than ever.
Passing this bill, Mr. Speaker, will send a strong message to those
that continue to seek to harm Israel and to harm the United States. It
will show the rest of the world just how seriously we value our
friendship with the democratic Jewish state of Israel, not only because
Israel has been a true ally, but because we share the same ideals and
the same values.
In a time, Mr. Speaker, when there is a worrisome movement to
delegitimize Israel, a campaign by some to boycott and divest from
Israel, now is the time to lend our unequivocal support to the
democratic Jewish state of Israel.
With anti-Semitism on an alarming rise throughout the world, Israel
and the worldwide Jewish community need to know that the United States
will do everything we can to ensure Israel's continued safety and
security.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).
[[Page H2114]]
Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today is the
product of a real bipartisan commitment to the U.S.-Israel
relationship.
I would like to thank Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot
Engel for making this bill a priority of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee and ensuring its consideration on the floor here today.
I would especially like to thank and recognize my colleague, my
friend, my fellow Floridian, chairman emeritus of the full committee,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this legislation, but not
just for that, for her ongoing commitment to the strength of the U.S.-
Israel relationship and for standing up, as she always does, in support
of people in need in every part of the world. We are so grateful for
your work.
The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act aims to strengthen the ties
that bind our two nations and enhance cooperation in multiple ways. The
legislation reflects the simple truth--a very simple truth that the
U.S. relationship with Israel is bound not only by mutual interests,
but it is bound by deeply shared values.
Indeed, the provisions of this bill, H.R. 938, mirror the broad
cooperation between the United States and Israel when it comes not only
to security, but to trade, research, energy, and so much more.
This bill is, of course, crafted with the heightened security risks
that Israel faces every day--with those heightened security risks in
mind. The Middle East region is as volatile as ever, and the world must
know that our commitment to Israel's security has never been stronger
than it is at this moment.
From the threat of daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, and
other groups that send rockets at Israel citizens indiscriminately, to
the risk of spillover from the Syrian conflict, the growing
humanitarian crisis there, and to the existential threat of a nuclear-
armed Iran, Israel faces an array of very complex security challenges.
Recognizing these threats, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act
includes measures to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge in a
tough and all too often hostile neighborhood.
H.R. 938 extends authority for the United States to expand our own
forward-deployed weapons stockpile in Israel. This stockpile is
critical to maintaining U.S. military readiness in the region and
ensuring that our Armed Forces have access to the equipment they need
to defend our interests at a moment's notice.
This legislation also reaffirms Congress' support for Israel's right
to self-defense by authorizing continued cooperation between the United
States and the state of Israel on innovative missile defense programs,
like the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling.
These systems have proven remarkably successful at intercepting
rockets and protecting the safety of the Israeli people.
{time} 1515
Yet, even as this bill advances the security of Israel, it ultimately
serves as a reminder to the world and as a reminder to America of the
depth of the United States-Israel relationship. H.R. 938 highlights
Israel's enormous contributions to water and irrigation, agriculture,
homeland security, and cybersecurity by authorizing further cooperation
with the United States in these fields. It significantly expands the
breadth of U.S.-Israel cooperation on energy and alternative energy
forms, and I would like to thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member
Waxman for their work on this critical language. The bill also
strengthens our trade ties to Israel by initiating a process to include
Israel in export license exemptions programs and, lastly, by affirming
Congress' support for Israel's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. DEUTCH. Despite facing enormous security challenges, our ally
Israel has thrived as an open and free society with a vibrant economy,
a strong democracy and as a global innovator in agriculture, energy,
and countless other fields. The United States-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act reflects our bipartisan commitment to a safe, to a
secure, and to a thriving Jewish State of Israel.
I am deeply moved by the tremendous support for Israel in this
Congress, with more than half of its membership signed onto this bill.
But why should this be a surprise? The security of the State of Israel
is important to our national security. A thriving economy in the State
of Israel, with investments made by so many American companies, is
important to our own economy. Most importantly, having an ally that
shares our values, our commitment to democracy and to the rule of law
is something of which the value cannot even be measured.
I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and to send the world a
message that our bond with Israel will remain unshakable.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Collins), an esteemed member of our committee but also one
who has been extremely focused on ensuring Israel's qualitative
military edge.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate the
opportunity. Of course, you and the ranking member, Mr. Engel, have
always been supportive of me, and I do appreciate that a great deal as
we work on these issues together.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 938, the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. This legislation
recognizes and enhances the historic and vitally important relationship
between the United States and Israel. As the only democracy in the
volatile Middle East, ensuring a strong Israel should be the priority
of this body and this administration.
Recently, this body passed H.R. 1992, bipartisan legislation that I
introduced, along with Congressman Schneider of Illinois, to modify QME
reports to reflect the ever-changing threats that Israel faces. I am
pleased that H.R. 1992 was also included in this Strategic Partnership
Act.
Specifically, H.R. 1992 shortens the review time of U.S. weapons
sales to Israel's neighbors from 4 years to 2 years. In addition, it
asks this administration to determine how much of a threat asymmetric
and cyber warfare are to Israel's security.
Anyone can look in just the last 4 years at how much has changed
surrounding our friend Israel. It is important that we take and lower
this time frame so that we are constantly making sure they have a
qualitative military edge. This is of vital importance. The
administration and this Congress ought to come together, and being a
part of this Strategic Partnership Act ensures that along with H.R.
1992.
The Strategic Partnership Act also addresses a number of other
important aspects of our relationship, including robust cybersecurity
cooperation, the facilitation of increased tourism between the two
nations, and the extension of U.S.-Israel energy cooperation.
Peace between Israel and its neighbors is something that has long
been sought after. I am pleased that H.R. 938 highlights Israel's
missile defense system, the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome gives Israel the
ability to protect its citizens and to prevent military escalation.
With this, I want to thank the really incredible work of the chairman
of the subcommittee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Deutch for their
encouragement in writing this legislation and for being such avid
sponsors and avid proponents of our relationship with Israel.
H.R. 938 is an important step. I urge my colleagues to continue their
support and to vote ``yes.''
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me again say that this is
another example of bipartisan cooperation on the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
I want to again thank Chairman Royce for being such a great partner
in ensuring that important legislation like this passes our Foreign
Affairs Committee and the floor of the House in a very bipartisan way.
I am proud to support H.R. 938. It reaffirms our mutually beneficial
relationship with our great ally, the Jewish State of Israel, at a
critically important time. I want to again thank my colleagues, the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Deutch), for authoring this legislation, and I urge my
colleagues to support this.
I yield back the balance of my time.
[[Page H2115]]
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
When we are speaking of this issue, I think Members should reflect
that we are speaking of an Israel that faces from a regime in Iran that
actually speaks of wiping Israel off of the map, a regime in Iran that
seeks to acquire a nuclear weapons capability and the missiles to
deliver nuclear weapons, a regime in Iran that has a proxy called
Hezbollah.
I remember a Deputy Secretary of State calling that organization the
``A team'' of terrorism in the world, Hezbollah. Hezbollah is greatly
expanding its size and its influence, and it is doing so not only in
Lebanon but in Syria, which neighbors Israel. It is an organization
that has, probably, some 70,000 rockets by now that are aimed at
Israel's population centers. We think of an Israel challenged by the
proliferation of al Qaeda-affiliated organizations throughout that
region. We think of the ongoing threats from Hamas to the south and the
Palestinian Islamic jihad.
Those are severe challenges, but Israel never has been as strong as
it is now. Think of Israel's dynamic entrepreneurial culture there. For
those who have been to Tel Aviv, it is inspiring--it is unbelievable--
the entrepreneurial spirit, the innovative culture. You get a better
sense of why Israel is so strong but also a sense of why the bond
between the United States and Israel is so great. It is that dynamic
economy and society that are building blocks for Israel's qualitative
military edge and its relationship with the United States.
The benefits that we get from U.S.-Israel relationships, like the
development of the Iron Dome, is very strong. I think that was probably
built for 10 percent the price or cost, and now all of our allies are
interested in acquiring that Iron Dome; and at the same time, when you
think about the Iron Dome, you think of something that we in the United
States thought was impossible to develop, but in Israel, engineers did
so.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation today stands by our values; it stands
by our interests; and it stands by our ally Israel. It is legislation
all Members of the House should support.
Seeing no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill.
The relationship between America and Israel, which is already
extremely strong, will be deepened further by passage of this
legislation. H.R. 938 includes a number of important provisions that
will expedite cooperation and trade between the U.S. and Israel. These
include expedited licensing procedures for items covered under the
Missile Technology Control Regime and other arms control regimes,
encouraging the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to give
preference to providing insurance, financing, or reinsurance for energy
and water projects in Israel, and measures to foster research and
technology exchanges in the areas of energy, water, homeland security,
agriculture and alternative fuel technologies. Both of our nations
would benefit from these latter provisions.
To help Israel meet the military challenges posed by short-range and
other ballistic missiles, the bill encourages the President to provide
assistance to Israel to facilitate the deployment of the David's Sling
Weapons System, the enhancement of the Arrow Weapon System, and the
Iron Dome System. As my colleagues know, the Iron Dome system has been
used multiple times over the last several years to defeat rocket
attacks staged by Hamas out of Gaza. As those attacks represent the
most imminent danger to Israeli population centers, our continued
support for that system is extremely important.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation and I
encourage all of my colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch for sponsoring this expertly-crafted and timely
legislation.
It is also a substantive bill. It expands our relationship with our
closest ally by supporting the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow-3
missile defense systems, transferring defense items to Israel, pre-
positioning more military equipment in Israel that both allies would
have available in a crisis, and by expanding cooperation in cyber
security, energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and
alternative fuel technologies. All of these are important, and as a
package they do a lot to strengthen our partnership with Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to point out Section 107, the amendment that I
proposed at markup and which was accepted by the committee. It states
the sense of Congress that the State Department should also increase
its coordination with Israel on combating anti-Semitism.
While the State Department is doing excellent work in the fight
against the unique evil of anti-Semitism, the government of Israel is
going to have an indispensable perspective, experience--including
tragic experience--and expertise on the Middle-Eastern security
dimensions and implications of anti-Semitic incitement. Our government
should be consulting, cooperating, and coordinating with them on this,
benefiting from Israeli expertise.
As we see on a sickeningly regular basis, many governments in the
Middle East (and elsewhere) propagate anti-Semitic incitement as an
official or quasi-official state ideology--the hate that still kills.
They do this in order to distract people from their own authoritarian
rule and human rights abuses. This constant incitement is a major
factor in the security situation in the Middle East. Last February I
chaired a hearing at which we heard important testimony from Dr. Zuhdi
Jasser on this subject. He made the point that it is not only Jews who
suffer from this incitement, but that Muslims suffer too, as Middle-
Eastern despots deploy anti-Semitism as one of their principal tools in
the subjugation and impoverishment of entire Muslim peoples.
I'd like to put on the record my legislative intent that the State
Department's engagement with Israel should include but also go beyond
the Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. In 2004 I
offered the amendment that created that office, and so I've followed
and supported its excellent work. But this work is too important to be
left to one small office--it should and must include the Department of
State at the country team level and above.
Mr. Speaker, this amendment will add a new security dimension to our
efforts to combat the pernicious evil of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism
is an ugly reality that won't go away by ignoring or wishing it away.
Let's cooperate with Israel in this struggle as well.
Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, the
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Royce, for yielding me
time.
And I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for her
work on this bill.
H.R. 938 recognizes the longstanding relationship between the United
States and Israel and bolsters our cooperation in the area of offshore
resources.
This bipartisan legislation expands the scope of an existing grant
program to promote research and development for conventional and
unconventional natural gas, water desalination, wastewater treatment
and reclamation, and other water treatment technologies.
It establishes an Energy Cooperation Working Group with the Israeli
government on energy activities. Furthering our dialogue and
collaboration on academic innovation and technology advancement will
help both our nations leverage energy development.
I commend Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and
Ranking Member Henry Waxman for their sponsorship of H.R. 3677, which
has been incorporated into this bill, and for their leadership on this
measure.
Both Republicans and Democrats support the United States' partnership
with Israel and expanding our cooperation on energy efficiency and
development. H.R. 938 would not only help our efforts to achieve energy
independence, but also helps the Israeli people achieve stronger
national security.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 938, 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. ROYCE. Mr. 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 motion will be postponed.
____________________