[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5188]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                AUTHORIZING DAVID'S SLING WEAPON SYSTEM

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the discovery of major offshore natural gas 
deposits 90 miles west of Haifa presents Israel with new 
opportunities--and new threats.
  Developing this resource will reduce Israel's dependence on fuel 
imports and improve ties with its neighbors through export agreements. 
However, the offshore platforms will be an attractive target for Hamas, 
Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations. A successful attack could 
be a humanitarian, economic, and environmental disaster.
  The United States-Israel Maritime Security Partnership Act would 
authorize the use of the David's Sling Weapon System to intercept 
short-range missiles, promote Israel's inclusion in naval exercises, 
and increase the number of visits by U.S. naval vessels to Israeli 
ports.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help our ally protect its 
coastline and offshore infrastructure from attack by cosponsoring this 
timely legislation.

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