Congress Demonstrates Overwhelming Support for Israel--Press Release
AIPAC commends Congress for including key pro-Israel provisions in the omnibus funding bill for Fiscal Year 2023. Importantly, the legislation provides the full $3.3 billion in U.S. security assistance to Israel, as agreed to in the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding.
Major Progress on Bipartisan Pro-Israel Legislation AIPAC appreciates the pro-Israel leadership demonstrated by Democrats and Republicans in Congress working to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship. Before adjourning for summer recess, Congress came together to send unequivocal and bipartisan messages of support for Israel and pro-Israel policies.
Both the House and Senate have advanced critical pieces of pro-Israel legislation that will bring the two allies closer together, and ensure the Jewish state has the resources it needs to defend itself against growing threats.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have both passed bills that include full funding of vital security assistance to Israel, $3.3 billion, rejecting those calling to jeopardize and politicize Israel’s security by adding new conditions on the aid. In addition, the Appropriations Committees in both chambers also passed $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation, $47.5 million for U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling cooperation and $40 million for U.S.-Israel counter-drone cooperation.
Both versions of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House and Senate authorized full funding for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation ($500 million) and U.S.-Israel counter-tunnel cooperation through 2026 ($47.5 million). As Iran continues to threaten both America and Israel, the inclusion of the Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023 in both bills will strengthen support for Israel’s capabilities and deterrence toward the regime.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee also adopted two important bills which address security threats from the Iranian regime — the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act (or “Fight CRIME” Act) (H.R. 3152) and the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2023 (H.R.4691). The Fight CRIME Act requires the administration to provide Congress with a diplomatic strategy to secure the renewal of the expiring restrictions on the Iranian missile and drone program. The Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act enhances congressional oversight on the implementation of Iranian sanctions laws.
These pro-Israel initiatives come on the heels of both the House and Senate overwhelmingly adopting resolutions reaffirming the enduring partnership between America and Israel and directly refuting those pushing the dangerous slander of Israel as a racist or apartheid state.
When Congress returns in September, AIPAC urges adoption of these critical pro-Israel measures. As Israeli President Herzog eloquently stated in his recent address to Congress which received bipartisan acclaim, “When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure.”
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