[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 445--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ECONOMIC 
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL AND AFFIRMING THAT 
TRADE FACILITATED BY THE UNITED STATES-ISRAEL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IS A 
  TOOL TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMY OF ISRAEL DURING THE CONFLICT WITH HAMAS

  Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Tillis, 
Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Young, Mr. 
Cassidy, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance:

                              S. Res. 445

       Whereas, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched violent and 
     deadly attacks on Israel by air, land, and sea;
       Whereas the United States and Israel have a longstanding 
     economic and security relationship;
       Whereas the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement was 
     signed into law in June 1985 and was the first free trade 
     agreement entered into by the United States;
       Whereas, since the signing of the Agreement, total trade 
     between the United States and Israel has grown more than 
     sevenfold;
       Whereas the United States is Israel's single largest 
     trading partner;
       Whereas the United States exported $14,200,000,000 in goods 
     and $5,800,000,000 in services to Israel in 2022;
       Whereas the United States imported $21,400,000,000 in goods 
     and $9,200,000,000 in services from Israel in 2022;
       Whereas the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement also 
     underpins the robust exchange of capital between the United 
     States and Israel;
       Whereas Israeli companies directly invested $10,600,000,000 
     in the United States during 2022, supporting more than 20,000 
     United States jobs; and
       Whereas, following Hamas's atrocious attacks on Israel, 
     maintaining and expanding trade and investment between the 
     United States and Israel is paramount: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that the economic relationship between the 
     United States and Israel is strong and has benefitted both 
     countries and the peoples of both countries;
       (2) expresses support for the people of Israel and the 
     economy of Israel in the face of Hamas's attacks against 
     Israel; and
       (3) affirms that--
       (A) the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement set the 
     stage for robust growth in trade and investment between the 
     United States and Israel; and
       (B) the Agreement can similarly serve as a tool for 
     supporting the economy of Israel during the conflict with 
     Hamas.

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