[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3685-3692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
         UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2014

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 938) to strengthen the strategic alliance between the United 
States and Israel, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 938

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United 
     States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Declaration of policy.

            TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

Sec. 101. Amendments to the United States-Israel Enhanced Security 
              Cooperation Act of 2012.
Sec. 102. Authorization of assistance for Israel.
Sec. 103. United States-Israel cooperation on cyber-security.
Sec. 104. Statement of United States Policy Regarding Israel's defense 
              systems.
Sec. 105. Report on other matters.
Sec. 106. Statement of policy.
Sec. 107. Sense of Congress.

           TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION

Sec. 201. United States-Israel energy cooperation.

                           TITLE III--OFFSET

Sec. 301. Offset.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The turmoil in the Middle East poses a serious threat 
     to United States national security interests and requires 
     cooperation with allies that are willing to work with the 
     United States in pursuit of shared objectives.
       (2) The October 31, 1998, Memorandum of Agreement signed by 
     President Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu commits the 
     United States to working jointly with Israel towards 
     enhancing Israel's defensive and deterrent capabilities and 
     upgrading the framework of the United States-Israel strategic 
     and military relationships, as well as the technological 
     cooperation between both countries.
       (3) On August 16, 2007, the United States and Israel signed 
     a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming United States 
     commitment to the security of Israel and establishing a 10-
     year framework for incremental increases in United States 
     military assistance to Israel.

[[Page 3686]]

       (4) The Memorandum of Understanding signed two years later 
     on January 16, 2009 reaffirmed the United States commitment 
     and noted ``the security, military and intelligence 
     cooperation between the United States and Israel''.
       (5) The United States and Israel conduct a semi-annual 
     Strategic Dialogue. The Department of State, in a statement 
     following the July 12, 2012, meeting of the Strategic 
     Dialogue, noted that the discussions focused on such issues 
     of mutual concern as ``Iran's continued quest to develop 
     nuclear weapons, which the United States and Israel are both 
     determined to prevent'' and ``how the continued violence of 
     the Syrian regime against its citizens [assisted by Iran and 
     Hezbollah] could also lead to severe consequences for the 
     entire region''.

     SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY.

       Congress declares that Israel is a major strategic partner 
     of the United States.

            TITLE I--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

     SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED 
                   SECURITY COOPERATION ACT OF 2012.

       (a) United States Actions To Assist in the Defense of 
     Israel and Protect United States Interests.--Section 4 of the 
     United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 
     2012 (Public Law 112-150; 22 U.S.C. 8603) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``It is the sense of Congress that the 
     United States Government should'' and inserting ``(a) In 
     General.--The President should, to the maximum extent 
     practicable,''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this subsection, the President shall submit 
     to Congress a report on the implementation of this 
     section.''.
       (b) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--Section 
     5(a) of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security 
     Cooperation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-150) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(a) Extension of War Reserves Stockpile Authority.--
       ``(1) 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'.
       ``(2) 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'.''.
       (c) Amendments to Requirements Relating to Assessment of 
     Israel's Qualitative Military Edge Over Military Threats.--
       (1) Assessment required; reports.--Section 201 of Public 
     Law 110-429 (122 Stat. 4843; 22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``an ongoing basis'' and 
     inserting ``a biennial basis''; and
       (B) in subsection (c)(2)--
       (i) in the heading, by striking ``Quadrennial'' and 
     inserting ``Biennial''; and
       (ii) in the text, by striking ``Not later than four years 
     after the date on which the President transmits the initial 
     report under paragraph (1), and every four years 
     thereafter,'' and inserting ``Not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of the United States-Israel 
     Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, and biennially 
     thereafter,''.
       (2) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on--
       (i) the range of cyber and asymmetric threats posed to 
     Israel by state and non-state actors; and
       (ii) the joint efforts of the United States and Israel to 
     address the threats identified in clause (i).
       (B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex.
       (C) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this 
     paragraph, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate.

     SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR ISRAEL.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that Israel has adopted high 
     standards in the field of export controls, including by 
     becoming adherent to the Australia Group, the Missile 
     Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and 
     the Wassenaar Arrangement control lists, and by enacting 
     robust legislation and regulations for the control of dual-
     use and defense items.
       (b) Expedited Licensing Procedures.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall direct the Secretary 
     of State to undertake discussions with Israel to identify the 
     steps required to be taken to include Israel within the list 
     of countries described in section 740.20(c)(1) of title 15, 
     Code of Federal Regulations (relating to eligibility for 
     Strategic Trade Authorization).
       (2) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for 
     a period of 3 years or until such time that Israel is 
     included on the list of countries determined as eligible for 
     the Strategic Trade Authorization, whichever occurs first, 
     the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs of the Senate a report on the following:
       (i) The current status of negotiations.
       (ii) The reasons that Israel has not yet been determined as 
     eligible for the Strategic Trade Authorization.
       (B) Form.--The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (c) Licensing Treatment as MTCR Adherent.--The President 
     shall direct the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that, 
     subject to the requirements of section 6(l) of the Export 
     Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(l)) (as 
     continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency 
     Economic Powers Act), Israel is treated no less favorably 
     than other members or adherents to the Missile Technology 
     Control Regime designated in Country Group A:2 in Supplement 
     No. 1 to part 740 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.
       (d) Overseas Private Investment Corporation.--In carrying 
     out its authorities under title IV of chapter 2 of part I of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191 et seq.), 
     the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should consider 
     giving preference to providing insurance, financing, or 
     reinsurance for energy and water projects in Israel.
       (e) Energy, Water, Agriculture, and Alternative Fuel 
     Technologies.--
       (1) In general.--The President is authorized to carry out 
     cooperative activities with Israel and to provide assistance 
     to Israel that promotes cooperation in the fields of energy, 
     water, agriculture, alternative fuel technologies, and civil 
     space, where appropriate and pursuant to existing law.
       (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     President is authorized to share and exchange with Israel 
     research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment, 
     and personnel that the President determines will advance the 
     national security interests of the United States and is 
     consistent with the Strategic Dialogue and pertinent 
     provisions of law--
       (A) by enhancing scientific cooperation between Israel and 
     the United States; or
       (B) by the sale, lease, exchange in kind, or other 
     techniques the President determines to be suitable.
       (f) Cooperative Research Pilot Programs.--
       (1) In general.--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 to enter into cooperative 
     research pilot programs with Israel to enhance Israel's 
     capabilities in the following areas:
       (A) Border, maritime, and aviation security.
       (B) Explosives detection.
       (C) Emergency services.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--For fiscal year 2014, 
     there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security--
       (A) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(A);
       (B) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(B); and
       (C) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (1)(C).

     SEC. 103. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON CYBER-SECURITY.

       It is a sense of Congress that the United States and Israel 
     should take steps and explore avenues to increase cooperation 
     on cyber-security.

     SEC. 104. STATEMENT OF UNITED STATES POLICY REGARDING 
                   ISRAEL'S DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress--
       (1) commends the first phase completion of the David's 
     Sling Weapon System (DSWS) by the Israel Missile Defense 
     Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, which is 
     designed to provide additional opportunities for interception 
     by the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon System (Arrow 
     2 and Arrow 3);
       (2) congratulates the Israel Missile Defense Organization 
     and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on successfully executing 
     the Arrow 3 flyout of a more advanced interceptor, which will 
     improve Israel's defenses against upper tier ballistic 
     missile threats from nations including Iran;
       (3) recognizes that during Operation Pillar of Defense in 
     November 2012, Israel deployed Iron Dome short-range rocket 
     defense batteries to intercept Hamas-launched rockets fired 
     from Gaza--of those rockets that posed a threat to the life 
     of Israeli citizens, 80 to 85 percent were successfully 
     intercepted, saving countless lives; and
       (4) agrees that, as stated by former Secretary of Defense 
     Leon Panetta, ``Iron Dome performed, I think it's fair to 
     say, remarkably well during the recent escalation . . . Iron 
     Dome does not start wars. It helps prevent wars.''.

[[Page 3687]]

       (b) Statement of Policy.--It should be the policy of the 
     United States that the President, acting through the 
     Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, should 
     provide assistance, upon request by the Government of Israel, 
     for the enhancement of the David's Sling Weapon System, the 
     enhancement of the joint United States-Israel Arrow Weapon 
     System (Arrow 2 and Arrow 3), and the procurement and 
     enhancement of the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense 
     system for purposes of intercepting short-range rockets, 
     missiles, and other projectiles launched against Israel.

     SEC. 105. REPORT ON OTHER MATTERS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States and Israel should continue 
     collaborative efforts to enhance Israel's military 
     capabilities, including through the transfer of advanced 
     combat aircraft, active phased array radar, military tanker-
     transports, other multi-mission military aircraft, advanced 
     or specialized munitions, and through joint training and 
     exercise opportunities in the United States;
       (2) the United States and Israel should expeditiously 
     conclude an updated Memorandum of Understanding regarding 
     United States security assistance in order to help Israel 
     meet its unique security requirements and uphold its 
     qualitative military edge;
       (3) the United States should ensure that Israel has timely 
     access to important military equipment, including by 
     augmenting the forward deployed United States War Reserve 
     Stockpile in Israel and by continuing to provide Israel with 
     critical military equipment and spare parts through the 
     Department of Defense's Excess Defense Articles program; and
       (4) the United States should continue to support Israel's 
     inherent right of self-defense.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that--
       (A) reviews the progress made toward the actions and 
     efforts identified in the report required under section 6(b) 
     of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act 
     of 2012 (Public Law 112-150; 22 U.S.C. 8604(b)); and
       (B) provides policy recommendations, if necessary.
       (2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) may include 
     a classified annex.
       (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Armed Services of the Senate.

     SEC. 106. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       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. 107. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State 
     should continue and, to the furthest extent practicable, 
     increase its coordination on monitoring and combating anti-
     Semitism with the Government of Israel.

           TITLE II--UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION

     SEC. 201. 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'';
       (B) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(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'' after the semicolon 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 strategic 
     interests 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 
     should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation;
       ``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to 
     develop more robust academic cooperation in energy innovation 
     technology and engineering, water science, technology 
     transfer, and analysis of geopolitical implications of new 
     natural resource development and associated areas;
       ``(13) the United States supports the goals of the 
     Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel;
       ``(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 
     sectors 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 best practices to secure cyber energy 
     infrastructure;
       ``(C) best practice sharing;
       ``(D) leveraging natural gas to positively impact regional 
     stability;
       ``(E) improving energy efficiency and the overall 
     performance of water technologies through research and 
     development in water desalination, wastewater treatment and 
     reclamation, and other water treatment technologies;
       ``(F) technical and environmental management of deep-water 
     exploration and production;
       ``(G) coastal protection and restoration;
       ``(H) academic outreach and engagement;
       ``(I) private sector and business development engagement;
       ``(J) regulatory consultations;
       ``(K) leveraging alternative transportation fuels and 
     technologies; and
       ``(L) any other areas determined appropriate by the United 
     States and Israel;
       ``(15) the United States acknowledges the achievements and 
     importance of the United States-Israel Binational Industrial 
     Research and Development Foundation and the United States-
     Israel Binational Science Foundation and supports continued 
     multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of 
     the Foundations; and
       ``(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest 
     in addressing their immediate, near-term, and long-term 
     energy and environmental challenges.''.
       (b) Establishment.--Section 917(b)(1) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1)) 
     is amended by striking ``renewable energy or energy 
     efficiency'' and inserting ``covered energy''.
       (c) Types of Energy.--Section 917(b)(2) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(2)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in the heading, by striking ``Types of'' and inserting 
     ``Covered'';
       (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (3) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) natural gas energy, including conventional and 
     unconventional natural gas technologies and natural gas 
     projects conducted by or in conjunction with the United 
     States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the United 
     States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development 
     Foundation, and the United States-Israel Science and 
     Technology 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 technologies.''.
       (d) Eligible Applicants.--Section 917(b)(3) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(3)) 
     is amended by striking ``energy efficiency or renewable'' and 
     inserting ``covered''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations; International 
     Partnerships.--Section 917 of the Energy Independence and 
     Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) International Partnerships.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, 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 the costs described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Annual reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural

[[Page 3688]]

     Resources, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate an annual report 
     that describes--
       ``(A) actions taken to carry out this subsection; and
       ``(B) any projects under this subsection for which the 
     Secretary requests funding.
       ``(d) United States-Israel Center.--The Secretary may 
     establish a joint United States-Israel Center based in an 
     area of the United States with the experience, knowledge, and 
     expertise 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 geopolitical 
     implications of new natural resource development and 
     associated areas.''; and
       (3) by amending subsection (f) (as redesignated) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
     available under section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
     (42 U.S.C. 16231), the Secretary is authorized to use 
     $2,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this section.''.
       (f) Termination.--Subsection (e) of section 917 of the 
     Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
     17337) (as redesignated by subsection (e)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``the date that is 7 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.

                           TITLE III--OFFSET

     SEC. 301. OFFSET.

       Section 102(a) of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan 
     Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-73) is amended by striking 
     ``$1,500,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,487,000,000''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members may have 5 legislative 
days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous 
materials in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of this legislation. This is the U.S.-Israel 
Strategic Partnership Declaration.
  I want to begin by thanking the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) and thanking the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Ted Deutch, for 
their leadership in authoring this important measure.
  Israel's strategic reality has been fundamentally transformed. As it 
looks to its borders and looks beyond those borders, the threats to 
Israel are changing, and they are growing. These threats challenge 
Israel's qualitative military edge and that is its ability to counter 
and defeat any credible conventional military threat. It challenges it 
in ways that have, perhaps, never been quite so daunting.
  Myself, Eliot Engel, Ted Deutch, and others, had an opportunity last 
year to travel to Israel to see the effects, see the efforts, by Israel 
to counter the rocket attacks that come in from Gaza by Hamas.
  I had an opportunity back during the second Lebanon war, during the 
war with Hezbollah, to actually see the effects in August of 2006 of 
what was happening with rockets firing into Haifa. On a daily basis, 
the city was under siege.
  There were literally 600 Israelis--Jewish Israelis, Arab Israelis, 
Druze Israelis--who were victims of these attacks from the communities 
in Haifa who were in the trauma hospital, and every day, these rockets 
would rain down.
  This was not just the handiwork of Hezbollah and of Hamas that we saw 
last year--no. This was with rockets provided by Iran--by Iran and 
Syria.
  In the rocket attacks that I saw in 2006, those rockets--every one of 
them--the cone of those rockets had 80,000 ball bearings, and they 
would be fired on schools, on homes, on the hospital itself, that was a 
target. That was done to create the maximum number of civilian 
casualties.
  Well, so it is, in terms of the challenges that Israel faces, again, 
those challenges now because Iran is supplying the weaponry.
  In response, the Congress continues to do everything in our power to 
support Israel from its security to supporting its economy. That is the 
intention, Mr. Speaker, of this legislation that Mr. Ted Deutch and Ms. 
Ros-Lehtinen have brought before this body. It is a matter of shared 
values, shared experiences, and shared interests between the United 
States and Israel.
  This legislation will not only expedite the provision of critical 
security assistance to Israel and require more frequent and detailed 
reporting on Israel's qualitative military edge, as well as a report on 
joint efforts to address the other threats--asymmetric threats that 
Israel faces, but it will also focus on expanding cooperation in areas 
of mutual interest by supporting a range of joint activities from civil 
space cooperation to homeland security measures.
  Finally, it will dramatically expand our cooperation with Israel on 
energy production. It will link the two economies in important ways, 
and that is why I, again, thank Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ted Deutch for 
bringing this legislation before us.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                 Washington, DC, January 22, 2014.
     Hon. Ed Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Homeland Security 
     in matters being considered in H.R. 938, the United States-
     Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013.
       I recognize the importance of H.R. 938 and the need for the 
     legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a 
     valid claim to jurisdiction over certain sections of the 
     bill, specifically, section 5(f), I do not intend to request 
     a sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our 
     mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my 
     decision to forego a sequential referral waives, reduces or 
     otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Homeland Security, and that a copy of this letter and your 
     response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest will be 
     included in the Committee Report and as part of the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of this bill by the 
     House. I also ask that you support my request to name members 
     of this committee to any conference committee that is 
     established to consider such provisions.
       Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, January 23, 2014.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act 
     of 2013. I acknowledge that by forgoing action and not 
     seeking a sequential referral on this legislation, your 
     Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction.
       I also concur with you that forgoing action on this bill 
     does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Homeland 
     Security with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would 
     support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this legislation.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. 
     I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and 
     look forward to working with the Committee on Homeland 
     Security as the bill moves through the legislative process.
       Thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                Washington, DC, February 27, 2014.
     Hon. Ed Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing with respect to H.R. 938, 
     the ``United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 
     2013,'' which the Committee on Foreign Affairs ordered 
     reported favorably on January 29, 2014. As a result of your 
     having consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 938 that fall 
     within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, and your agreement to support mutually-agreeable 
     changes to the legislation, I agree to discharge our 
     Committee from further consideration of this bill so

[[Page 3689]]

     that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for 
     consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 938 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our 
     Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our 
     Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and asks 
     that you support any such request.
       I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 938, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration of H.R. 938.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 27, 2014.
     Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for agreeing to be 
     discharged from further consideration of H.R. 938, the United 
     States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, and for working with 
     us to incorporate mutually agreeable changes to provisions 
     within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
       I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not 
     in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary, or prejudice its jurisdictional 
     prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the 
     future. I would support your effort to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this legislation.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. 
     I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and 
     look forward to continuing to work with the Committee on the 
     Judiciary as the bill moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                Washington, DC, February 28, 2014.
     Hon. Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing to you regarding H.R. 
     938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 
     2013. This legislation was initially referred to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (among others). 
     The bill contains provisions that fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology.
       H.R. 938 has been marked up by the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs. Based on discussions that the staff of our two 
     committees have had regarding this legislation and in the 
     interest of permitting your Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important 
     legislation, I am willing to waive further consideration of 
     this bill. I do so with the understanding that language 
     specifically requested by the Committee will be included in 
     the legislation when it is considered on the floor and that 
     by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim of the subject matters contained in the 
     bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.
       Additionally, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology expressly reserves its authority to seek conferees 
     on any provision within its jurisdiction during any House-
     Senate conference that may be convened on this, or any 
     similar legislation. I ask for your commitment to support any 
     request by the Committee for conferees on H.R. 938, as well 
     as any similar or related legislation.
       Further, I ask that a copy of this letter and your response 
     be included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of H.R. 938.
       I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for 
     the positive negotiations between our Committees; the result 
     is an improved bill. I look forward to working with you as 
     this important measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,

                                                  Lamar Smith,

                                   Chairman, Committee on Science,
     Space, and Technology.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                Committees on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 28, 2014.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for agreeing to be 
     discharged from further consideration of H.R. 938, the United 
     States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, and for working with 
     us to incorporate mutually agreeable changes to provisions 
     within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology.
       I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not 
     in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of your 
     Committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would 
     support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this legislation.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 938 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. 
     I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and 
     look forward to continuing to work with the Science Committee 
     as the bill moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 938, the U.S.-Israel Strategic 
Partnership Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the 
chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and Mr. 
Deutch, the ranking member of that subcommittee, for authoring this 
legislation and for working tirelessly over the past year to further 
refine some of the provisions.
  This legislation comes at a critical time in the history of the U.S.-
Israel relationship. On every border, Israel faces instability, at 
best, and violence and chaos, at worst.
  Syria remains engulfed in a horrific civil war that has left more 
than 140,000 people dead. Israel's neighbors, including Lebanon and 
Egypt, are plagued by instability.
  Iran has not yet abandoned its pursuit of nuclear weapons capability 
and continues to terrorize the world with its support for violent 
extremism. Iran is the leading supporter of terrorism around the world.
  And, under the threat of rocket fire from Gaza, Israel is now 
considering new options under a framework for peace with Palestinians 
and the Arab world. Hamas still controls the Gaza Strip, and their 
disregard for human life is well known.
  The U.S. cannot afford to sit idly by. We must be engaged in each of 
these issues and support our ally, Israel, the only democracy in the 
Middle East.
  This legislation before us today is critical because it sends a clear 
and unmistakable message to America's foes: America stands with Israel. 
Let me repeat that: America stands with Israel.
  Now is the time to reaffirm the vital importance we place on the 
U.S.-Israel relationship and to pursue new ways to improve our 
partnership at every level. Let me say the relationship between the 
U.S. and Israel is not a one-way street. It is a two-way street.
  We share a love for democracy; we share a love for human rights; and 
we share a love and understanding that we share things that are so 
important to both countries. It is not, again, just a one-way street. 
It is a two-way street.
  There is more collaboration between the United States and Israel on 
everything, each and every day. The relationship deepens, the 
coordination deepens--coordination in terms of military, in terms of 
intelligence sharing, in terms of so many other things. Israel is the 
best ally the United States has, not in the Middle East, but in the 
world.
  Specifically, this bill will build on our robust defense cooperation, 
increase U.S.-Israel collaboration on cybersecurity, expand U.S.-Israel 
energy cooperation, and reaffirm our commitment to Israel missile 
defense programs, which have saved many innocent lives, such as the 
Iron Dome.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 938, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), the chairman emeritus and Middle East 
Subcommittee chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and, of course, 
the author of this bill.

[[Page 3690]]


  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressman Ted Deutch and I introduced the United 
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act because we are committed to the 
security of our friend and ally in an increasingly volatile Middle 
East.
  Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel have been instrumental in 
getting this important bill to the House floor today. Today is, indeed, 
a very significant day in the history of the relationship between the 
United States and Israel.
  This bill takes the already strong bonds between our two countries 
and makes it even stronger. With over 350 Members of Congress having 
lent their support to this bill as cosponsors, it is truly a bipartisan 
measure.
  This bill designates Israel as a major strategic partner of the 
United States and extends U.S.-Israeli cooperation in a variety of 
areas, including intelligence, homeland security, energy, science, 
trade, and so forth. It supports U.S. efforts to help Israel maintain 
its qualitative military edge over its neighbors and its foes.
  As Israel faces even more dangerous threats than ever before, 
particularly now with so much uncertainty and so much violence 
spreading throughout the region, and as Iran continues to announce 
advancements on its nuclear program due to this weak interim agreement, 
Israel needs our support now more than ever.
  Passing this bill, Mr. Speaker, will send a strong message to those 
that continue to seek to harm Israel and to harm the United States. It 
will show the rest of the world just how seriously we value our 
friendship with the democratic Jewish state of Israel, not only because 
Israel has been a true ally, but because we share the same ideals and 
the same values.
  In a time, Mr. Speaker, when there is a worrisome movement to 
delegitimize Israel, a campaign by some to boycott and divest from 
Israel, now is the time to lend our unequivocal support to the 
democratic Jewish state of Israel.
  With anti-Semitism on an alarming rise throughout the world, Israel 
and the worldwide Jewish community need to know that the United States 
will do everything we can to ensure Israel's continued safety and 
security.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today is the 
product of a real bipartisan commitment to the U.S.-Israel 
relationship.
  I would like to thank Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot 
Engel for making this bill a priority of the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee and ensuring its consideration on the floor here today.
  I would especially like to thank and recognize my colleague, my 
friend, my fellow Floridian, chairman emeritus of the full committee, 
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this legislation, but not 
just for that, for her ongoing commitment to the strength of the U.S.-
Israel relationship and for standing up, as she always does, in support 
of people in need in every part of the world. We are so grateful for 
your work.
  The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act aims to strengthen the ties 
that bind our two nations and enhance cooperation in multiple ways. The 
legislation reflects the simple truth--a very simple truth that the 
U.S. relationship with Israel is bound not only by mutual interests, 
but it is bound by deeply shared values.
  Indeed, the provisions of this bill, H.R. 938, mirror the broad 
cooperation between the United States and Israel when it comes not only 
to security, but to trade, research, energy, and so much more.
  This bill is, of course, crafted with the heightened security risks 
that Israel faces every day--with those heightened security risks in 
mind. The Middle East region is as volatile as ever, and the world must 
know that our commitment to Israel's security has never been stronger 
than it is at this moment.
  From the threat of daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, and 
other groups that send rockets at Israel citizens indiscriminately, to 
the risk of spillover from the Syrian conflict, the growing 
humanitarian crisis there, and to the existential threat of a nuclear-
armed Iran, Israel faces an array of very complex security challenges.
  Recognizing these threats, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act 
includes measures to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge in a 
tough and all too often hostile neighborhood.
  H.R. 938 extends authority for the United States to expand our own 
forward-deployed weapons stockpile in Israel. This stockpile is 
critical to maintaining U.S. military readiness in the region and 
ensuring that our Armed Forces have access to the equipment they need 
to defend our interests at a moment's notice.
  This legislation also reaffirms Congress' support for Israel's right 
to self-defense by authorizing continued cooperation between the United 
States and the state of Israel on innovative missile defense programs, 
like the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling.
  These systems have proven remarkably successful at intercepting 
rockets and protecting the safety of the Israeli people.

                              {time}  1515

  Yet, even as this bill advances the security of Israel, it ultimately 
serves as a reminder to the world and as a reminder to America of the 
depth of the United States-Israel relationship. H.R. 938 highlights 
Israel's enormous contributions to water and irrigation, agriculture, 
homeland security, and cybersecurity by authorizing further cooperation 
with the United States in these fields. It significantly expands the 
breadth of U.S.-Israel cooperation on energy and alternative energy 
forms, and I would like to thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member 
Waxman for their work on this critical language. The bill also 
strengthens our trade ties to Israel by initiating a process to include 
Israel in export license exemptions programs and, lastly, by affirming 
Congress' support for Israel's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Despite facing enormous security challenges, our ally 
Israel has thrived as an open and free society with a vibrant economy, 
a strong democracy and as a global innovator in agriculture, energy, 
and countless other fields. The United States-Israel Strategic 
Partnership Act reflects our bipartisan commitment to a safe, to a 
secure, and to a thriving Jewish State of Israel.
  I am deeply moved by the tremendous support for Israel in this 
Congress, with more than half of its membership signed onto this bill. 
But why should this be a surprise? The security of the State of Israel 
is important to our national security. A thriving economy in the State 
of Israel, with investments made by so many American companies, is 
important to our own economy. Most importantly, having an ally that 
shares our values, our commitment to democracy and to the rule of law 
is something of which the value cannot even be measured.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and to send the world a 
message that our bond with Israel will remain unshakable.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Collins), an esteemed member of our committee but also one 
who has been extremely focused on ensuring Israel's qualitative 
military edge.
  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate the 
opportunity. Of course, you and the ranking member, Mr. Engel, have 
always been supportive of me, and I do appreciate that a great deal as 
we work on these issues together.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 938, the United 
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013. This legislation 
recognizes and enhances the historic and vitally important relationship 
between the United States and Israel. As the only democracy in the 
volatile Middle East, ensuring a strong Israel should be the priority 
of this body and this administration.

[[Page 3691]]

  Recently, this body passed H.R. 1992, bipartisan legislation that I 
introduced, along with Congressman Schneider of Illinois, to modify QME 
reports to reflect the ever-changing threats that Israel faces. I am 
pleased that H.R. 1992 was also included in this Strategic Partnership 
Act.
  Specifically, H.R. 1992 shortens the review time of U.S. weapons 
sales to Israel's neighbors from 4 years to 2 years. In addition, it 
asks this administration to determine how much of a threat asymmetric 
and cyber warfare are to Israel's security.
  Anyone can look in just the last 4 years at how much has changed 
surrounding our friend Israel. It is important that we take and lower 
this time frame so that we are constantly making sure they have a 
qualitative military edge. This is of vital importance. The 
administration and this Congress ought to come together, and being a 
part of this Strategic Partnership Act ensures that along with H.R. 
1992.
  The Strategic Partnership Act also addresses a number of other 
important aspects of our relationship, including robust cybersecurity 
cooperation, the facilitation of increased tourism between the two 
nations, and the extension of U.S.-Israel energy cooperation.
  Peace between Israel and its neighbors is something that has long 
been sought after. I am pleased that H.R. 938 highlights Israel's 
missile defense system, the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome gives Israel the 
ability to protect its citizens and to prevent military escalation.
  With this, I want to thank the really incredible work of the chairman 
of the subcommittee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Deutch for their 
encouragement in writing this legislation and for being such avid 
sponsors and avid proponents of our relationship with Israel.
  H.R. 938 is an important step. I urge my colleagues to continue their 
support and to vote ``yes.''
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me again say that this is 
another example of bipartisan cooperation on the Foreign Affairs 
Committee.
  I want to again thank Chairman Royce for being such a great partner 
in ensuring that important legislation like this passes our Foreign 
Affairs Committee and the floor of the House in a very bipartisan way.
  I am proud to support H.R. 938. It reaffirms our mutually beneficial 
relationship with our great ally, the Jewish State of Israel, at a 
critically important time. I want to again thank my colleagues, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch), for authoring this legislation, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  When we are speaking of this issue, I think Members should reflect 
that we are speaking of an Israel that faces from a regime in Iran that 
actually speaks of wiping Israel off of the map, a regime in Iran that 
seeks to acquire a nuclear weapons capability and the missiles to 
deliver nuclear weapons, a regime in Iran that has a proxy called 
Hezbollah.
  I remember a Deputy Secretary of State calling that organization the 
``A team'' of terrorism in the world, Hezbollah. Hezbollah is greatly 
expanding its size and its influence, and it is doing so not only in 
Lebanon but in Syria, which neighbors Israel. It is an organization 
that has, probably, some 70,000 rockets by now that are aimed at 
Israel's population centers. We think of an Israel challenged by the 
proliferation of al Qaeda-affiliated organizations throughout that 
region. We think of the ongoing threats from Hamas to the south and the 
Palestinian Islamic jihad.
  Those are severe challenges, but Israel never has been as strong as 
it is now. Think of Israel's dynamic entrepreneurial culture there. For 
those who have been to Tel Aviv, it is inspiring--it is unbelievable--
the entrepreneurial spirit, the innovative culture. You get a better 
sense of why Israel is so strong but also a sense of why the bond 
between the United States and Israel is so great. It is that dynamic 
economy and society that are building blocks for Israel's qualitative 
military edge and its relationship with the United States.
  The benefits that we get from U.S.-Israel relationships, like the 
development of the Iron Dome, is very strong. I think that was probably 
built for 10 percent the price or cost, and now all of our allies are 
interested in acquiring that Iron Dome; and at the same time, when you 
think about the Iron Dome, you think of something that we in the United 
States thought was impossible to develop, but in Israel, engineers did 
so.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation today stands by our values; it stands 
by our interests; and it stands by our ally Israel. It is legislation 
all Members of the House should support.
  Seeing no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill.
  The relationship between America and Israel, which is already 
extremely strong, will be deepened further by passage of this 
legislation. H.R. 938 includes a number of important provisions that 
will expedite cooperation and trade between the U.S. and Israel. These 
include expedited licensing procedures for items covered under the 
Missile Technology Control Regime and other arms control regimes, 
encouraging the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to give 
preference to providing insurance, financing, or reinsurance for energy 
and water projects in Israel, and measures to foster research and 
technology exchanges in the areas of energy, water, homeland security, 
agriculture and alternative fuel technologies. Both of our nations 
would benefit from these latter provisions.
  To help Israel meet the military challenges posed by short-range and 
other ballistic missiles, the bill encourages the President to provide 
assistance to Israel to facilitate the deployment of the David's Sling 
Weapons System, the enhancement of the Arrow Weapon System, and the 
Iron Dome System. As my colleagues know, the Iron Dome system has been 
used multiple times over the last several years to defeat rocket 
attacks staged by Hamas out of Gaza. As those attacks represent the 
most imminent danger to Israeli population centers, our continued 
support for that system is extremely important.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation and I 
encourage all of my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch for sponsoring this expertly-crafted and timely 
legislation.
  It is also a substantive bill. It expands our relationship with our 
closest ally by supporting the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow-3 
missile defense systems, transferring defense items to Israel, pre-
positioning more military equipment in Israel that both allies would 
have available in a crisis, and by expanding cooperation in cyber 
security, energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and 
alternative fuel technologies. All of these are important, and as a 
package they do a lot to strengthen our partnership with Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to point out Section 107, the amendment that I 
proposed at markup and which was accepted by the committee. It states 
the sense of Congress that the State Department should also increase 
its coordination with Israel on combating anti-Semitism.
  While the State Department is doing excellent work in the fight 
against the unique evil of anti-Semitism, the government of Israel is 
going to have an indispensable perspective, experience--including 
tragic experience--and expertise on the Middle-Eastern security 
dimensions and implications of anti-Semitic incitement. Our government 
should be consulting, cooperating, and coordinating with them on this, 
benefiting from Israeli expertise.
  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. Last February 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.
  I'd like to put on the record my legislative intent that the State 
Department's engagement with Israel should include but also go beyond 
the Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. In 2004 I 
offered the amendment that created that office, and so I've followed 
and supported its excellent work.

[[Page 3692]]

But this work is too important to be left to one small office--it 
should and must include the Department of State at the country team 
level and above.
  Mr. Speaker, this amendment will add a new security dimension to our 
efforts to combat the pernicious evil of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism 
is an ugly reality that won't go away by ignoring or wishing it away. 
Let's cooperate with Israel in this struggle as well.
  Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, the 
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Royce, for yielding me 
time.
  And I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for her 
work on this bill.
  H.R. 938 recognizes the longstanding relationship between the United 
States and Israel and bolsters our cooperation in the area of offshore 
resources.
  This bipartisan legislation expands the scope of an existing grant 
program to promote research and development for conventional and 
unconventional natural gas, water desalination, wastewater treatment 
and reclamation, and other water treatment technologies.
  It establishes an Energy Cooperation Working Group with the Israeli 
government on energy activities. Furthering our dialogue and 
collaboration on academic innovation and technology advancement will 
help both our nations leverage energy development.
  I commend Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and 
Ranking Member Henry Waxman for their sponsorship of H.R. 3677, which 
has been incorporated into this bill, and for their leadership on this 
measure.
  Both Republicans and Democrats support the United States' partnership 
with Israel and expanding our cooperation on energy efficiency and 
development. H.R. 938 would not only help our efforts to achieve energy 
independence, but also helps the Israeli people achieve stronger 
national security.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, anyone who turns on the news for 
even a few minutes will see our good friend Israel in a region of chaos 
and unrest.
  War in Syria--with refugees pouring into Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. 
Violence in Iraq. Upheaval in Egypt. And of course, the threat of 
nuclear advancement in Iran.
  And yet, Israel remains a strong, stable, and reliable ally.
  More than ever, we must do all we can to strengthen our critical 
relationship.
  H.R. 938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013, 
will do just that.
  It designates Israel as a ``major strategic partner'' and increases 
our mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of energy, science, 
water, agriculture, alternative fuel technologies, and homeland 
security.
  At a time of deep political division in Congress, this bill has 
across the board support, with 351 cosponsors, a reflection that our 
alliance with Israel is rooted in shared national interests, common 
values of democracy and freedom, and a recognition that the same forces 
threatening Israel also threaten the United States.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 938.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 938, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________