[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5874-S5876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2014

  Mr. PRYOR. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of Calendar No. 492, S. 2673.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2673) to enhance the strategic partnership 
     between the United States and Israel.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. PRYOR. I further ask unanimous consent that the Boxer amendment, 
which is at the desk, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a 
third time and passed; and the motion to reconsider be considered made 
and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 3933) was agreed to, as follows:

   (Purpose: To designate Israel as a program country under the Visa 
    Waiver Program if Israel complies with the generally applicable 
                             requirements)

       Beginning on page 8, strike line 1 and all that follows 
     through page 9, line 23, and insert the following:

     SEC. 9. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING THE VISA WAIVER 
                   PROGRAM.

       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.

  The bill (S. 2673), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2673

       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 
     Strategic Partnership Act of 2014''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The people and the Governments of the United States and 
     of Israel share a deep and unbreakable bond, forged by over 
     60 years of shared interests and shared values.
       (2) Today, the people and Governments of the United States 
     and of Israel are facing a dynamic and rapidly changing 
     security environment in the Middle East and North Africa, 
     necessitating deeper cooperation on a range of defense, 
     security, and intelligence matters.
       (3) From Gaza, Hamas continues to deny Israel's right to 
     exist and persists in firing rockets indiscriminately at 
     population centers in Israel.
       (4) Hezbollah--with support from Iran--continues to 
     stockpile rockets and may be seeking to exploit the tragic 
     and volatile security situation within Syria.
       (5) The Government of Iran continues to pose a grave threat 
     to the region and the

[[Page S5875]]

     world at large with its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons.
       (6) Given these challenges, it is imperative that the 
     United States continues to deepen cooperation with allies 
     like Israel in pursuit of shared policy objectives.

     SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to reaffirm the unwavering support of the people and 
     the Government of the United States for the security of 
     Israel as a Jewish state;
       (2) to reaffirm the principles and objectives enshrined in 
     the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 
     2012 (Public Law 112-150) and ensure its implementation to 
     the fullest extent;
       (3) to reaffirm the importance of the 2007 United States-
     Israel Memorandum of Understanding on United States 
     assistance to Israel and the semi-annual Strategic Dialogue 
     between the United States and Israel;
       (4) to pursue every opportunity to deepen cooperation with 
     Israel on a range of critical issues including defense, 
     homeland security, energy, and cybersecurity;
       (5) to continue to provide Israel with robust security 
     assistance, including for the procurement of the Iron Dome 
     Missile Defense System; and
       (6) to support the Government of Israel in its ongoing 
     efforts to reach a negotiated political settlement with the 
     Palestinian people that results in two states living side-by-
     side in peace and security.

     SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ISRAEL AS A MAJOR STRATEGIC 
                   PARTNER.

       It is the sense of Congress that Israel is a major 
     strategic partner of the United States.

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF WAR RESERVES STOCKPILE AUTHORITY.

       (a) 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''.
       (b) 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''.

     SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY OF ISRAEL FOR THE STRATEGIC TRADE 
                   AUTHORIZATION EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN EXPORT 
                   CONTROL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that Israel--
       (1) has adopted high standards in the field of export 
     controls;
       (2) has declared its unilateral adherence to the Missile 
     Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the 
     Nuclear Suppliers Group; and
       (3) is a party to--
       (A) the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the 
     Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be 
     Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, 
     signed at Geneva October 10, 1980;
       (B) the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of 
     Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of 
     Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva June 17, 
     1925; and
       (C) the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear 
     Material, adopted at Vienna on October 26, 1979.
       (b) Eligibility for Strategic Trade Authorization 
     Exception.--The President, consistent with the commitments of 
     the United States under international arrangements, shall 
     take steps so that Israel may be included in the list of 
     countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization 
     exception under section 740.20(c)(1) of title 15, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, to the requirement for a license for the 
     export, reexport, or in-country transfer of an item subject 
     to controls under the Export Administration Regulations.

     SEC. 7. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON ENERGY, WATER, 
                   HOMELAND SECURITY, AGRICULTURE, AND ALTERNATIVE 
                   FUEL TECHNOLOGIES.

       (a) In General.--The President is authorized, subject to 
     existing law--
       (1) to undertake activities in cooperation with Israel; and
       (2) to provide assistance promoting cooperation in the 
     fields of energy, water, agriculture, and alternative fuel 
     technologies.
       (b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     President is authorized, subject to existing requirements of 
     law and any applicable agreements or understandings between 
     the United States and Israel--
       (1) to share and exchange with Israel research, technology, 
     intelligence, information, equipment, and personnel, 
     including through sales, leases, or exchanges in kind, that 
     the President determines will advance the national security 
     interests of the United States and are consistent with the 
     Strategic Dialogue and pertinent provisions of law; and
       (2) to enhance scientific cooperation between Israel and 
     the United States.
       (c) Cooperative Research Pilot Programs.--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, 
     subject to existing law, to enter into cooperative research 
     pilot programs with Israel to enhance Israel's capabilities 
     in--
       (1) border, maritime, and aviation security;
       (2) explosives detection; and
       (3) emergency services.

     SEC. 8. REPORT ON INCREASED UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION 
                   ON CYBERSECURITY.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report, in 
     a classified format or including a classified annex, as 
     appropriate, on the feasibility and advisability of expanding 
     United States-Israeli cooperation on cyber issues, including 
     sharing and advancing technologies related to the prevention 
     of cybercrimes.

     SEC. 9. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING THE VISA WAIVER 
                   PROGRAM.

       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. 10. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE UNITED 
                   STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY COOPERATION ACT 
                   OF 2012.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the President shall, to the extent practicable and 
     in an appropriate manner, provide an update to the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
     Armed Services of the Senate, and the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the House of Representatives on current and 
     future efforts undertaken by the President to fulfill the 
     objectives of section 4 of the United States-Israel Enhanced 
     Security Cooperation Act (22 U.S.C. 8603).

     SEC. 11. IMPROVED REPORTING ON ENHANCING ISRAEL'S QUALITATIVE 
                   MILITARY EDGE AND SECURITY POSTURE.

       (a) Biennial Assessment Reevaluations.--Section 201(c) of 
     the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 (22 U.S.C. 2776 note) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Biennial updates.--Two years after the date on which 
     each quadrennial report is transmitted to Congress, the 
     President shall--
       ``(A) reevaluate the assessment required under subsection 
     (a); and
       ``(B) inform and consult with the appropriate congressional 
     committees on the results of the reevaluation conducted 
     pursuant to subparagraph (A).''.
       (b) Certification Requirements for Major Defense 
     Equipment.--Section 36(h) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2776(h)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Requirements with respect to determination for major 
     defense equipment.--A determination under paragraph (1) 
     relating to the sale or export of major defense equipment 
     shall include--
       ``(A) a detailed explanation of Israel's capacity to 
     address the improved capabilities provided by such sale or 
     export;
       ``(B) a detailed evaluation of--
       ``(i) how such sale or export alters the strategic and 
     tactical balance in the region, including relative 
     capabilities; and
       ``(ii) Israel's capacity to respond to the improved 
     regional capabilities provided by such sale or export;
       ``(C) an identification of any specific new capacity, 
     capabilities, or training that Israel may require to address 
     the regional or country-specific capabilities provided by 
     such sale or export; and
       ``(D) a description of any additional United States 
     security assurances to Israel made, or requested to be made, 
     in connection with, or as a result of, such sale or 
     export.''.

     SEC. 12. 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''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following: ``and
       ``(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'' 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 in the 
     strategic interest 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, to the extent consistent with the National Science 
     Foundation's mission, should collaborate with the Israel

[[Page S5876]]

     Science Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational 
     Science Foundation;
       ``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to 
     develop more robust academic cooperation in--
       ``(A) energy innovation technology and engineering;
       ``(B) water science;
       ``(C) technology transfer; and
       ``(D) analysis of emerging geopolitical implications, 
     crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy 
     acquisitions, and the development of domestic resources as a 
     response;
       ``(13) the United States supports the goals of the 
     Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel with respect to 
     expanding the use of alternative fuels;
       ``(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 
     sector 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 and sharing best practices to secure cyber 
     energy infrastructure and other energy security matters;
       ``(C) leveraging natural gas to positively impact regional 
     stability;
       ``(D) issues relating to the energy-water nexus, including 
     improving energy efficiency and the overall performance of 
     water technologies through research and development in water 
     desalination, wastewater treatment and reclamation, water 
     treatment in gas and oil production processes, and other 
     water treatment refiners;
       ``(E) technical and environmental management of deep-water 
     exploration and production;
       ``(F) emergency response and coastal protection and 
     restoration;
       ``(G) academic outreach and engagement;
       ``(H) private sector and business development engagement;
       ``(I) regulatory consultations;
       ``(J) leveraging alternative transportation fuels and 
     technologies; and
       ``(K) any other areas determined appropriate by the United 
     States and Israel;
       ``(15) the United States--
       ``(A) acknowledges the achievements and importance of the 
     Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation and 
     the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation; and
       ``(B) supports continued multiyear funding to ensure the 
     continuity of the programs of the foundations specified in 
     subparagraph (A); and
       ``(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest 
     in addressing immediate, near-term, and long-term energy, 
     energy poverty, energy independence, and environmental 
     challenges facing the United States and Israel, 
     respectively.''.
       (b) Grant Program.--Section 917(b) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable energy or 
     energy efficiency'' and inserting ``covered energy'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) natural gas energy, including conventional and 
     unconventional natural gas technologies and other associated 
     technologies, and natural gas projects conducted by or in 
     conjunction with the United States-Israel Binational Science 
     Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational Industrial 
     Research and Development 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 refiners.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``energy efficiency or 
     renewable'' and inserting ``covered''.
       (c) International Partnerships; Regional Energy 
     Cooperation.--
       (1) International partnerships.--Section 917 of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (d);
       (B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e);
       (C) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) International Partnerships.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, may 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 Federal share of the costs of implementing 
     cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(3) Annual reports.--If the Secretary enters into 
     agreements authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     submit an annual report to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
     of Representatives, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     that describes--
       ``(A) actions taken to implement such agreements; and
       ``(B) any projects undertaken pursuant to such agreements.
       ``(d) United States-Israel Energy Center.--The Secretary 
     may establish a joint United States-Israel Energy Center in 
     the United States leveraging the experience, knowledge, and 
     expertise of institutions of higher education and entities in 
     the private sector, among others, 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 emerging geopolitical implications, 
     crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy 
     acquisitions, and the development of domestic resources as a 
     response.''; and
       (D) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by striking ``the 
     date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act'' and inserting ``September 30, 2024''.
       (2) Constructive regional energy cooperation.--The 
     Secretary of State shall continue the ongoing diplomacy 
     efforts of the Secretary of State in--
       (A) engaging and supporting the energy security of Israel; 
     and
       (B) promoting constructive regional energy cooperation in 
     the Eastern Mediterranean.

                          ____________________