[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
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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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