Schneider's Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership

Press Release

The House Foreign Affairs Committee today overwhelming passed a bill introduced by U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA) to help Israel maintain its qualitative military edge over those who seek to do it harm by ensuring that Israel is fully equipped to defend herself against conventional and emerging threats.

"As Israel continues to face a broad spectrum of threats, from a nuclear Iran to a collapsing Syria, the United States must be steadfast in its efforts to ensure that Israel has the tools to maintain its qualitative military edge over those who seek to do it harm," Schneider said. "This bill strengthens our partnership with Israel and helps preserve Israel's ability to defend herself, by herself, against unconventional weapons and increasingly dangerous cyber-attacks."

The Israeli Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act would help to increase mutually beneficial military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, ensuring Israel retains a defensive edge and the weapons necessary to protect herself from unconventional warfare. By increasing the frequency of assessment from four years to two, the Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act will help ensure Israel is always prepared to confront the constantly evolving conventional and asymmetrical threats.

As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Schneider has been active in advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel partnership and for increasing sanctions against Iran. He has coauthored new, broader sanctions against Iran and in October was joined by 77 of his colleagues in urging the Obama Administration to authorize additional sanctions on Iran.

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