Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	1,345	n/a	n/a
Engrossed in House	1,482	20	23%
Referred in Senate	1,447	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	6%

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HR 4133 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2d SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 4133CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To express the sense of Congress regarding the United States-Israel strategic relationship, to direct the President to submit to Congress reports on United States actions to enhance this relationship and to assist in the defense of Israel, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Since 1948, United States Presidents and both houses of Congress, on a bipartisan basis and supported by the American people, have repeatedly reaffirmed the special bond between the United States and Israel, based on shared values and shared interests.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The Middle East is undergoing rapid change, bringing with it hope for an expansion of democracy but also great challenges to the national security of the United States and our allies in the region, particularly our most important ally in the region, Israel. Over the past year, the Middle East has witnessed the fall of some regimes long considered to be stabilizing forces and a rise in the influence of radical Islamists.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Iran, which has long sought to foment instability and promote extremism in the Middle East, is now seeking to exploit the dramatic political transition underway in the region to undermine governments traditionally aligned with the United States and support extremist political movements in these countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) At the same time, Iran may soon attain a nuclear weapons capability, a development that would fundamentally threaten vital American interests, destabilize the region, encourage regional nuclear proliferation, further empower and embolden Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and provide it the tools to threaten its neighbors, including Israel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Over the past several years, with the assistance of Iran and Syria, Hizballah and Hamas have increased their stockpiles of rockets, with more than 60,000 rockets now ready to be fired at Israel. Iran continues to add to its arsenal of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which threaten Iran’s neighbors, Israel, and United States military forces in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) As a result, the strategic environment that has kept Israel secure and safeguarded United States national interests for the past 35 years has eroded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

It is the policy of the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of the State of Israel as a Jewish state. As President Obama stated on December 16, 2011, ‘America’s commitment and my commitment to Israel and Israel’s security is unshakeable.’. And as President Bush stated before the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel on May 15, 2008, ‘The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To provide Israel the military capabilities necessary to deter and defend itself by itself against any threats.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) To veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Security Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) To support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) To pursue avenues to expand cooperation with Israel in both defense and across the spectrum of civilian sectors, including high technology, agriculture, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals, and energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) To assist Israel with its on-going efforts to forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and security, and to encourage Israel’s neighbors to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. UNITED STATES ACTIONS TO ASSIST IN THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL AND PROTECT AMERICAN INTERESTS.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the United States should take the following actions to assist in the defense of Israel:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Provide Israel such support as may be necessary to increase development and production of joint missile defense systems, particularly such systems that defend the urgent threat posed to Israel and United States forces in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Provide Israel assistance specifically for the production and procurement of the Iron Dome defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles, rockets, and projectiles launched against Israel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Provide Israel defense articles and defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and specialized munitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Allocate additional weaponry and munitions for the forward-deployed United States stockpile in Israel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Provide Israel additional surplus defense articles and defense services, as appropriate, in the wake of the withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Strengthen efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza pursuant to the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and to protect against weapons smuggling and terrorist threats from the Sinai Peninsula.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Offer the Israeli Air Force additional training and exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for Israel’s limited air space.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Expand Israel’s authority to make purchases under the Foreign Military Financing program on a commercial basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the United States and Israel to address emerging common threats, increase security cooperation, and expand joint military exercises.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Encourage an expanded role for Israel within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including an enhanced presence at NATO headquarters and exercises.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) Support extension of the long-standing loan guarantee program for Israel, recognizing Israel’s unbroken record of repaying its loans on time and in full.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, including satellite intelligence, with Israel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report on Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) STATEMENT OF POLICY- It is the policy of the United States--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to help Israel preserve its qualitative military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to encourage further development of advanced technology programs between the United States and Israel given current trends and instability in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on the status of Israel’s qualitative military edge in light of current trends and instability in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Reports on Other Matters- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on each of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Taking into account Israel’s urgent requirement for F-35 aircraft, actions to improve the process relating to Israel’s purchase of F-35 aircraft to improve cost efficiency and timely delivery.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Efforts to expand cooperation between the United States and Israel in homeland security, counter-terrorism, maritime security, energy, cybersecurity, and other appropriate areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Actions to integrate Israel into the defense of the Eastern Mediterranean.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE- The term ‘qualitative military edge’ has the meaning given the term in section 36(h)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(h)(2)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LOAN GUARANTEES TO ISRAEL.

(a) In General- Chapter 5 of title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-11), as amended, is further amended in the item relating to ‘Loan Guarantees to Israel’--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking ‘September 30, 2011’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the second proviso, by striking ‘September 30, 2011’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives May 9, 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

112th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4133

AN ACT

To express the sense of Congress regarding the United States-Israel strategic relationship, to direct the President to submit to Congress reports on United States actions to enhance this relationship and to assist in the defense of Israel, and for other purposes KAREN L. HAAS, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink