[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10791-10793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          UNITED STATES-JORDAN DEFENSE COOPERATION ACT OF 2015

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 907) to improve defense cooperation between the United 
States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 907

       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-Jordan Defense 
     Cooperation Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government 
     has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to the Syria 
     humanitarian response, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been 
     to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
       (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations 
     High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 621,937 
     registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of 
     those refugees live outside refugee camps.
       (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-
     trade agreement that went into force in 2001.
       (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-
     NATO ally status.
       (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and 
     the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant 
     (ISIL).
       (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent 
     member of the United Nations Security Council beginning in 
     January 2014 and terminating in December 2015.
       (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is 
     important to the national security of the United States, 
     including through creation of a status in law for Jordan 
     similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, 
     Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by 
     Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan.
       (8) The Colorado National Guard's relationship with the 
     Jordanian military provides a significant benefit to both the 
     United States and Jordan.
       (9) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered 
     by ISIL.
       (10) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and 
     Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new 
     Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to 
     increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan 
     from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 per year for the years 
     2015 through 2017.

     SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It should be the policy of the United States to support the 
     Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian 
     refugee crisis, provide necessary assistance to alleviate the 
     domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated 
     Syrian refugees, cooperate with Jordan to combat the 
     terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the 
     Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations, and help 
     secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and 
     Iraq.

     SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration 
     of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense 
     articles, defense services, design and construction services, 
     and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of 
     Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2776(b)) is fully consistent with United States 
     security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of 
     world peace and security.

     SEC. 5. ENHANCED DEFENSE COOPERATION.

       (a) In General.--For the 3-year period beginning on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Hashemite Kingdom of 
     Jordan shall be treated as if it were a country listed in the 
     provisions of law described in subsection (b) for purposes of 
     applying and administering such provisions of law.
       (b) Provisions of Law.--The provisions of law described in 
     this subsection are the following provisions of the Arms 
     Export Control Act:
       (1) Subsections (b)(2), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i), and (d)(5) 
     of section 3 (22 U.S.C. 2753).
       (2) Subsections (e)(2)(A), (h)(1)(A), (h)(2) of section 21 
     (22 U.S.C. 2761).
       (3) Subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6), (c), and (d)(2)(A) 
     of section 36 (22 U.S.C. 2776).
       (4) Section 62(c)(1) (22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1)).
       (5) Section 63(a)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2)).

     SEC. 6. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.

       The Secretary of State is authorized, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, to enter into a Memorandum of 
     Understanding with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to 
     increase economic support funds, military cooperation, 
     including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, 
     support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced 
     strategic dialogue.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Connolly) 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 submit statements or extraneous 
materials for the Record on this measure.
  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, H.R. 907, which is before us, is a simple, 
straightforward, commonsense bill that not only helps secure U.S. 
national security interests, but also the security interests of one of 
our closest allies in the Middle East, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  This bill will give Jordan the ability to buy defense articles, 
defense services, and major defense equipment under the Arms Export 
Control Act, as long as any sale is fully consistent with United States 
security and foreign policy interests and objectives.
  The bill also supports the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its 
response to the Syrian refugee crisis to help alleviate the domestic 
burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees, and 
the bill also calls for greater cooperation with Jordan to fight the 
terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant--ISIL--
or any other terrorist organization.
  Late last year, Mr. Speaker, I introduced this bill after leading a 
congressional delegation to Jordan. We traveled to Jordan to see how 
the people of Jordan were dealing with the strains

[[Page 10792]]

put on them from the humanitarian crisis developing in Syria.
  The King of Jordan had taken in somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 
million refugees, despite the toll it has taken on his country's 
infrastructure and resources; but despite the added pressures the 
Kingdom was facing from the refugee crisis, the King told us that one 
of the most pressing issues he was facing was the encroachment of ISIL 
toward his borders.
  He stressed that he was willing to help lead the fight against ISIL, 
but he just did not have sufficient military equipment with which to do 
so.
  I understand how important the stability and security of Jordan is 
not just for the region, but also for another strong ally of ours, the 
democratic Jewish State of Israel. It made sense that, in order to 
maintain the fragile stability in some of the countries in the region, 
we would need to help bolster the capabilities of our friends who are 
committed to defeating this radical extremist threat.
  We marked up the bill in November of last year, but simply ran out of 
time at the end of the Congress. I reintroduced the bill again this 
year, alongside Mr. Ted Deutch of Florida, the ranking member of the 
Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee; Kay Granger, chairman of the 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations 
Subcommittee; and Nita Lowey, ranking member of the State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee.
  I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel because it is through 
their leadership that we were able to pass the bill out of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee unanimously this past April.
  Mr. Speaker, in Jordan, the U.S. could not ask for a more committed 
partner in the fight against ISIL. King Abdullah is committed to that 
fight. He understands the urgency and need to address ISIL head on, and 
he has shown that he is willing to take the necessary measures to 
defeat these extremists, but he needs more resources to fight ISIL. He 
needs these resources to protect the security of his people.
  Congress must do everything that we can to help our friends defend 
themselves and defeat this scourge of terror. I urge my colleagues to 
support this important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 907, the U.S.-Jordan Defense 
Cooperation Act of 2015. As the Middle East has become more unstable 
and as ISIS continues to terrorize the people of Syria, Iraq, and its 
neighbors, Jordan remains resolute. While ISIS threatens its borders 
and terrorizes its people, Jordan has fought back.
  When Jordan Air Force pilot Captain al-Kasasbeh was brutally 
murdered--burned alive in a cage, Mr. Speaker--Jordan did not shrink; 
it did not retreat. Instead, it took even a more active role in 
airstrikes against the ISIS threat.
  The Syrian civil war and instability created by ISIS has placed a 
tremendous pressure on the country of Jordan. Jordan has absorbed 
620,000 Syrian refugees during this crisis. Its healthcare and 
educational systems are under severe strain as a result.
  The United States has provided over $460 million in response, on top 
of the over $1 billion in bilateral foreign assistance Jordan received 
last year. In February, the U.S. and Jordanian Governments signed a 
memorandum of understanding outlining the intention to provide Jordan 
with $1 billion per year for the next 3 years. This agreement and this 
legislation seek to ensure that Jordan is able to defend itself in the 
wake of these severe threats.
  For the next 3 years, the bill would treat Jordan as a NATO member in 
how weapons sales and maintenance, manufacturing licensing agreements, 
and technical assistance are considered and notified to this Congress. 
The bill also authorizes a MOU with Jordan to increase economic and 
military assistance, as well as joint military operations.
  The U.S.-Jordanian relationship is mutually beneficial. Now, more 
than ever, Jordan needs U.S. support. We need strong Jordanian resolve 
in the face of the threat against ISIS. I urge my colleagues to support 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, let me close by noting that this bill is 
crucial because it shows that, if given proper assistance, the region 
can stand up for itself. This measure does not put U.S. boots on the 
ground. U.S. support and leadership is appreciated, of course, but 
Jordan is seeking to defend itself with our help.
  We have had many solemn conversations in this body and on this floor 
about issues of war and peace. This bill demonstrates U.S. leadership 
in preparing others to fight their own battles, and that is an 
important strategy as we move forward. This legislation is consistent 
with that principle.
  I urge my colleagues to give this their full support, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia, for his 
comments. I know that it comes from great experience. I believe that he 
also served as a staff member on the Foreign Relations Committee in the 
Senate. That has definitely helped him form his opinions and expertise.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. I am just amazed that my friend from Florida would be 
in possession of such intricate knowledge. I thank her for 
acknowledging it.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Reclaiming my time, this bill could not come at a 
more important time, Mr. Speaker.
  In March, I was honored to join Speaker Boehner on a congressional 
trip to Jordan in order to discuss the growing threat to that region. I 
had previously gone there on my own CODEL. Now, going back in March, I 
see how ISIL has created an even greater threat to the Hashemite 
Kingdom of Jordan and the refugee crisis continues to build up for the 
Kingdom of Jordan.
  We expressed our appreciation to His Majesty for his steadfast 
commitment, to support his efforts to fight this ISIL threat, and help 
him with the burden of the refugees.
  The King reiterated again his commitment to defeating ISIL and the 
need for more assistance from the international community. We told him 
that we would do what we could to ensure that he had all of the tools 
needed to win this fight against ISIL.
  Since the coalition campaign against ISIL began, Mr. Speaker, the 
terror group has made great gains in Iraq and Syria. It has expanded 
its influence across the globe to places like Libya, Tunisia, Sinai, 
Europe, and even here in the United States.
  Congress needs to do our part. We need to step up. We need to show 
our allies that we are committed to help them. They are taking the 
fight to ISIL. Let's help them with these tools. We need to show ISIL 
and all of our enemies that we will stand by our allies. We will stand 
by our friends and help them do what is necessary--all that is 
necessary--to defeat terror and to defeat radical extremism.
  I urge my colleagues to support this vital, important bill and 
support our key ally, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. I would like to 
thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel again for their leadership, as well as 
Mr. Deutch, Ms. Granger, and Mrs. Lowey.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 907, U.S.-
Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015.
  The United States has no stronger partner in the Arab world than 
Jordan, and His Majesty King Abdullah II continues to be a pioneer in 
bolstering moderate political voices both in Jordan and throughout the 
Muslim world.
  During such a tumultuous time in the region, with the rise of ISIL 
and the unprecedented

[[Page 10793]]

humanitarian needs of millions of refugees, stability and security in 
Jordan remain vital to our own interests.
  That is why this legislation is so important. It would help 
strengthen military and economic ties between our two countries.
  As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on 
State and Foreign Operations, I remain committed to our strategic 
partnership with Jordan, and I will continue to work as hard as 
possible to promote stability, economic growth, and prosperity for the 
Jordanian people.
  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, H.R. 907, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________