[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H8354-H8358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2014

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (S. 2673) to enhance the strategic partnership between the 
United States and Israel.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is 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 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

[[Page H8355]]

       ``(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 
     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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this has been a long time coming, but I am so pleased 
that we finally have an opportunity to send to the President's desk the 
bill before us, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act.
  I authored the original bill, alongside my Florida colleague, my good 
friend

[[Page H8356]]

Mr. Deutch, and together we introduced it in the House almost 2 years 
ago. Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and their staffs were 
immensely supportive in pushing this bill through, and we ultimately 
passed the House version, H.R. 938, in this body in March, with an 
overwhelming vote of 410-1.
  I want to thank our colleagues in the other Chamber, Senator Boxer 
and Senator Blunt, for introducing the companion bill in the Senate.
  Today is, indeed, a significant day in the history of the United 
States-Israel relationship. Our bill takes the already strong bond 
between our two countries and makes it even stronger.
  In the aftermath of this summer's Gaza conflict, in which we saw 
Hamas fire thousands of rockets indiscriminately into innocent Israeli 
civilian populations, and with the alarming rise in terror attacks in 
Jerusalem these past few weeks, well, Mr. Speaker, now is precisely the 
time for us to make this bill a law.
  Our bill is as important strategically as it is symbolically. It 
shows the world how deeply America values its bilateral relationship 
with Israel, affording the democratic Jewish state the unique label of 
major strategic partner of the United States.
  At a time when many around the world seek to test our resolve and our 
commitment to our friend and ally, passing this bill will reaffirm an 
unwavering commitment to Israel, to its right to defend herself and her 
citizens, and redoubles our efforts to ensure that Israel always 
maintains a qualitative military edge over its enemies.
  Israel has many enemies, like Hamas. Hamas is, no doubt, planning its 
next assault against our ally.
  Hezbollah, another enemy which may be preoccupied right now in Syria, 
certainly has not forgotten its desire to wipe out Israel, especially 
not when its patron, the Iranian regime, continues to incite violence 
against Israel and calls for its very destruction.
  Iran's Supreme Leader, while he is telling his people to continue to 
string along the P5+1 countries in the nuclear negotiations under the 
ruse of wanting to reach an agreement, is calling for all Palestinians 
in the West Bank to take up arms against Israel.
  And while the administration continues to extend and negotiate a very 
weak and dangerous Iran nuclear deal, it is important that we in the 
United States Congress send a signal to Khamenei and Rouhani and all 
the mullahs in Iran that the United States Congress will not undermine 
our ally, Israel, for a regime that cannot be trusted and is the 
world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.
  This bill will do that, Mr. Speaker. It will do that and much more, 
and I am so honored to have led the charge, with Mr. Royce, with Mr. 
Engel, with Mr. Deutch, in getting this bill to the President's desk. I 
look forward to it finally becoming law.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2673, the 
U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, and I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me first thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the chair of the 
Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and Mr. Deutch, the ranking 
member of that subcommittee, for authoring the House version of this 
legislation, which passed by a vote of 410-1 on March 5 of this year.
  I will have to figure out who that one is.
  They have worked tirelessly, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch, with 
their Senate counterparts, Senators Boxer and Blunt, to send this bill 
to the President.
  This legislation would reaffirm our support for the U.S.-Israel 
relationship at a time of unprecedented threats.
  In the north, Israel sees Syria engulfed in a civil war that has 
killed upwards of 200,000 people. The extremists who have filled the 
vacuum of leadership, like the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra front, are 
sitting right on Israel's border. They even kidnapped U.N. peacekeepers 
tasked with keeping that border calm.
  From Jordan, typically a quiet ally, we have seen some ugly rhetoric 
over the past few weeks. After terrorists seized a synagogue and 
slaughtered rabbis in their place of worship, the Jordanian Parliament 
praised the so-called martyrs who perpetrated this heinous attack.
  This summer's war against Hamas and Gaza left the Israeli public 
acutely aware of their own vulnerabilities. For years, Israelis on 
border towns have said that they have heard digging underneath their 
feet, scratches and vibrations that kept them up at night.
  It turns out they were right. Hamas was digging tunnels in order to 
kidnap Israeli civilians and soldiers, or perpetrate large-scale 
terrorist attacks in some of Israel's largest cities.
  I stood with Chairman Royce in one of those tunnels just a couple of 
months ago. We were also with Mr. Rohrabacher, and we looked at those 
tunnels. It was just amazing. They were solidly-constructed and well-
engineered.
  I couldn't help but wonder what Gaza would look like today if Hamas 
had put those resources into building schools or hospitals or a modern 
infrastructure for the Palestinian people. But they didn't. They, 
instead, made them terror tunnels. What a waste.
  Hamas is now a legitimate political actor. It uses violence to gain 
power. It sees no value in human life, neither its Israeli victims nor 
its Palestinian human shields. And we did pass a resolution earlier 
this year condemning Hamas' use of innocent civilians as human shields.
  And, of course, Israel faces the existential threat of Iran and its 
illicit nuclear weapons program. Even as talks continue between the 
P5+1 and Iran, Tehran continues to support international terrorism that 
targets Jews in Israel and other parts of the world.
  Israel is a bright light, Mr. Speaker, in a very, very dark region, 
the only democracy in the Middle East, and a valued ally of the United 
States. That is why we are considering this bill to strengthen our 
relationship with the state and the people of Israel, and to send a 
clear and unmistakable message to Israel's foes, and that message is: 
America stands with Israel.
  Specifically, this bill would build on our robust defense 
cooperation. It would ramp up U.S.-Israel collaboration on 
cybersecurity, expand U.S.-Israel energy cooperation, and reaffirm our 
commitment to Israel's QME, or qualitative military edge.
  This legislation names Israel as a major strategic partner, 
demonstrating that our relationship is not transactional, it is not 
assistance-based. Our relationship is based on shared cultural, 
societal, and historical ties, and is clearly ingrained in the values 
we hold dear. It is mutually beneficial and serves the strategic 
interests of both countries.
  Again, in my trip to Israel with Chairman Royce and Mr. Rohrabacher 
and Mr. Gregory Meeks, we understood why America stands with Israel.
  So, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation. It is very important. It is very important that we do 
this.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1900

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Nita Lowey, who is the ranking 
member of the Appropriations subcommittee which deals with all of these 
important issues.
  Mrs. LOWEY. I want to thank all of the authors of this bill for your 
important work, and I appreciate your bringing these issues once again 
to the attention of my colleagues and to all of those who are watching 
us this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the United States-Israel 
Strategic Partnership Act.
  During a period of tremendous turmoil in the Middle East, the passage 
of this important legislation sends a strong signal to our steadfast 
ally that the United States Congress remains fully committed to its 
security.
  This bill, which I cosponsored, supports greater U.S.-Israeli 
cooperation on a number of fronts, including energy, cybersecurity, 
homeland security, and agriculture. It also extends the authorization 
for U.S. weapons to be stored in Israel in case they are needed by 
either of our countries to respond to an emergency.

[[Page H8357]]

  Additionally, this bill provides for the greater congressional 
oversight of Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbors, a 
status that remains absolutely critical to Israel's ongoing security 
needs. Lastly, this bill encourages Israel's inclusion in the Visa 
Waiver Program and supports a greater engagement with Israel on meeting 
the program's requirements.
  I remain committed to making it easier for young Israelis to travel 
to the United States. As I have said before, our visa policies should 
reflect the unbreakable bond between our nations and people.
  Supporting Israel, our strongest ally and the only democracy in the 
region, remains a vital component of protecting U.S. national security 
interests.
  As ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, I will continue to fight to 
provide Israel with the resources it requires to secure its borders and 
protect its citizens.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida, Mr. Ted Deutch, one of the authors of this bill.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, today, the House is taking up the Senate 
version of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, a bill 
that passed this Chamber in March with a vote of 410-1. Our vote today 
will send this important piece of legislation to the President's desk.
  I am particularly grateful for the efforts of my colleagues on the 
House Foreign Affairs Committee, notably those by Chairman Ed Royce; by 
ranking member and my friend, Eliot Engel, for helping to ensure this 
legislation's passage; by the Senate sponsors, Senator Boxer and 
Senator Blunt; and by my friend, chairman, and stalwart champion of the 
U.S.-Israel relationship, chairman emeritus Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
  I would also like to offer a special thanks as well to Casey Kustin, 
in my office; to Eddy Acevedo; and to the entire committee staff, 
including Matt Zweig and Mira Resnick, who worked so hard to bring this 
bill to the floor at this moment.
  This critical bill enhances the broad cooperation between the United 
States and Israel on a wide spectrum of issues, and it reflects the 
simple truth that our bilateral relationship spans not only shared 
security interests but shared values.
  This bill was crafted with particular consideration of the heightened 
security situation faced by Israel today. This summer's Operation 
Protective Edge reminds us just how vital and strong U.S. support for 
Israel can be as the Iron Dome missile defense system saved tens of 
thousands of lives by taking down hundreds of Hamas rockets aimed at 
civilians and as the U.S. was able to quickly assist Israel in the 
resupply of defense articles, so that it could defend its citizens from 
brutal terror attacks.
  The United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act also highlights 
Israel's significant contributions to the areas of water, irrigation, 
agriculture, and energy issues by expanding collaborative research 
efforts. It recognizes that the United States is strengthened by these 
joint efforts with Israel to tackle shared problems and to advance 
shared interests.
  Through dire security threats and unimaginable hostility from the 
outside actors, the State of Israel has managed to thrive as an open 
and free democratic society, and it has prospered into a global leader 
in research and development in countless fields.
  This bill, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, sends 
a clear and a bipartisan message to our ally Israel and to the rest of 
the world that the U.S.-Israel relationship runs wide and deep, that 
our commitment to the lasting safety and security of Israel is and 
always will be unbreakable, and that our work together not only in 
security but in agriculture, cybersecurity, water, and energy advances 
the interests of our Nation, as well as those of our great ally.
  I urge my colleagues to support the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership 
Act.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say that I am very proud 
to help send this bill to the President's desk. This is really 
significant and important.
  The United States stands with Israel during these challenging times, 
and deepening our ties with Israel will only help strengthen our 
mutually beneficial relationship. Let me say that again, ``mutually 
beneficial relationship.''
  It benefits both countries to have the kind of relationship that we 
have with Israel. It benefits both countries because we have shared 
values and care about democracy. It benefits both countries because we 
share intelligence and do so many things together as closest allies.
  This is a very important piece of legislation, and I urge everyone to 
support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  It is in our national security interests of the United States to 
strengthen our relationship with our strongest ally, the democratic 
Jewish State of Israel.
  Our two nations share more than just a strategic partnership--we 
share the same values; we share the same ideals. The United States and 
Israel are both freedom-loving and democratic nations that serve as a 
model of how free and open societies can work and can thrive, but it is 
also our belief in these ideals that has made us a target by those who 
seek to oppress their people and impose strict laws that govern their 
everyday lives and restrict their freedom of expression and their 
freedom of religion.
  The citizens of the United States and of Israel speak openly, and we 
live honestly, but our enemies hate everything that we stand for, and 
they will stop at nothing to harm or destroy our way of life.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, it is so important that we continue to 
strengthen our relationship with Israel and support its right to defend 
itself and its citizens, and that is exactly what we will be doing when 
we pass this bill.
  I would like to say to my Florida colleague, Mr. Deutch, that it has 
been a joy to have joined him in our recent trip to Israel, and I have 
greatly enjoyed our Florida road trip as we speak around our great 
State about the strength and the vitality of the U.S.-Israel 
relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2673, the 
U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act. I'd like to note that the 
groundwork for this legislation was laid when the House-passed H.R. 938 
by a vote of 410-1 in March. I would like to recognize the Gentlewoman 
from Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, and the Gentleman from Florida, Mr. 
Deutch, for their leadership in authoring that important measure. With 
passage of this legislation today, this bill now goes to the 
President's desk for his signature.
  I also want to thank the Ranking Member of the Committee, the 
Gentleman from New York, Mr. Engel, for his assistance in bringing this 
legislation to the floor and for his longstanding support for the State 
of Israel. Over the past two years, Mr. Engel and I have had the chance 
to travel twice to Israel together as Chair and Ranking Member, showing 
bipartisan support for the relationship.
  We witnessed together the many factors that drive our relationship. 
Israel is a pluralistic democracy which includes the freedoms we 
cherish: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of 
association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the 
governed.
  Our militaries hold combined exercises where they constantly learn 
from each other. A key collaboration here has been in missile defense. 
Jointly developed and produced by the U.S. and Israeli militaries, the 
Arrow defense system, Iron Dome, and David's Sling system--which is 
currently under development--will soon be combined to create the 
world's most sophisticated missile shields. And given the threats 
Israel faces, this is needed now more than ever. This summer, once 
again we saw how the Iron Dome helped save innocent Israeli lives, 
giving its leaders breathing room and preventing more bloodshed. 
Congress can be proud of its role in backing the Iron Dome.
  But we must always be working to ensure that our support for Israel 
keeps apace with the threats proliferating against the country--from 
Iran to Hamas.
  That is why today's legislation is important. Once signed into law, 
it will expedite the provision of critical security assistance to 
Israel by ushering in an expedited licensing regime and

[[Page H8358]]

increasing the U.S. war reserves stockpile, for Israel to access, if 
needed. It will also require more frequent and detailed reporting on 
Israel's Qualitative Military edge--a provision which is the direct 
result of Mr. Collins' good efforts--so I thank the gentleman from 
Georgia for his contribution. Finally, the legislation will expand our 
cooperation with Israel on energy research and development.
  I urge all Members to support this legislation.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank my colleagues 
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch who worked on the House version of this 
much-needed and timely bill.
  This substantive bill expands our relationship with our closest ally 
by formally declaring Israel a ``major strategic partner'' of the U.S. 
It provides for increased cooperation in many spheres, including 
homeland security, cyber security, defense and intelligence, as well as 
water, energy, agriculture, and alternative fuels. This will send a 
signal to Israel's enemies that, despite their manipulative and 
dishonest global campaign against Israel, the U.S.-Israel relationship 
continues to deepen--as it should. It is right and good for both of our 
countries.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is largely a response to anti-Semitism--to 
militant, military and terroristic, and profoundly evil expressions of 
anti-Semitism. That's what poisons the hearts and minds of those who 
launch rockets at Israel and tunnel under its borders.
  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. In February of 
last year 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.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill fights the evil effects of anti-Semitism. I 
urge my colleagues to support this outstanding bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, S. 2673.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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