[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.
____________________