[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 168 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6767-S6768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I want to once again reaffirm that 
the U.S. Congress stands firmly behind a strong U.S.-Israel 
relationship. As threats to Israel continue to increase, as her enemies 
continue to grow ever closer, the United States will stand firm in our 
commitments.
  Despite partisanship interfering with so many pressing policy issues 
today, an overwhelming majority of members of all political parties 
continue to reaffirm congressional support for this relationship.
  Congress continues to fully fund the unprecedented $38 billion of 
memorandum of understanding for military aid and will continue to do so 
on a bipartisan basis.
  Congress continues to authorize and fund missile codevelopment 
programs, like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 3, and will continue 
to do so on a bipartisan basis.

[[Page S6768]]

  Congress passed the Taylor Force Act, making clear that the United 
States will not provide assistance that directly benefits the 
Palestinian Authority until it stops incentivizing violence by paying 
salaries to prisoners convicted of terrorism against Israeli or 
American citizens.
  Should there be any question about where the entirety of the U.S. 
Senate--Democrats and Republicans--stand, all 100 Senators signed a 
letter calling for Israel's inclusion in the Global Entry Program.
  Our relationship with Israel is rooted in this bipartisanship. We are 
stronger for it, and so is Israel. It is disappointing to see some try 
to drive a political wedge in this historical support.
  Those who would try to use Israel or support for the U.S.-Israel 
relationship as a political football are not helping this relationship, 
nor are they helping promote either American or Israeli security. Along 
with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I will continue to be a 
vocal advocate for a robust U.S.-Israel relationship rooted in strong 
bipartisan support.

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