| WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) praised the U.S. House of Representatives passage last night of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, bipartisan legislation they introduced in July 2014 to help strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two countries. The Boxer-Blunt bill was co-sponsored by a total of 81 Senators, and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Blunt spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in July in support of the bill.
This bipartisan bill demonstrates Congresss commitment to supporting our nations longstanding ally, Israel, Blunt said. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support in passing this important legislation, and I look forward to the president signing it into law.
I am proud that the House and Senate spoke with one voice to pass this bill that reaffirms and strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel, Boxer said. I look forward to the President signing this critical legislation.
The legislation reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to Israels security and the strong, historic U.S.-Israel relationship. It supports efforts to deepen U.S.-Israeli cooperation on defense, and reaffirms that the U.S. will continue to provide robust security assistance to Israel, including for the Iron Dome Missile Defense System. The bill also reiterates U.S. support for a negotiated political settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians that results in two states living side-by-side in peace and security.
Specifically, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014:
- Expresses the sense of Congress that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States.
- Authorizes an increase of $200 million in the value of U.S. weapons held in Israel, to a total of $1.8 billion. This stockpile is intended for use by U.S. forces in the event of a crisis, but it can also be used by Israel in the event of an emergency with Israel reimbursing the U.S. for any weapons used.
- Requires the Administration to take steps toward allowing Israel to be included in the top-tier category for license-free exports of certain U.S. technologies and products.
- Authorizes the President to carry out cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on a range of policy areas including energy, water, homeland security, and alternative fuel technologies. And it requires the President to study the feasibility of expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation on cyber security.
- States that it shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel in the list of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program when Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to satisfy, the requirements for inclusion in the program.
- Requires the Administration to provide more frequent and more detailed assessments on the status of Israels qualitative military edge over its neighbors.
- Strengthens collaboration between the U.S. and Israel on energy development and encourages increased cooperation between the two countries academic, business and governmental sectors.
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