This week, The United States Senate passed the “United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act,” which was presented by Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Christopher Coons. The legislation continues to fund the established levels in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed two years ago between the nations. The levels are extended by five years.
In response to the passing of the legislation, Senator Rubio commented that “At a time when the Jewish state of Israel faces unpresented threats from Iran’s terror-sponsoring regime, Assad’s barbaric dictatorship in Syria, and terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, this bipartisan legislation advances American efforts to ensure that Israel, a vibrant democracy and our closest ally in the Middle East, has all that it needs to defend itself. I thank my colleagues in the Senate for their support of the Rubio-Coons bill, and hope that the House of Representatives soon passes the legislation and sends it to the White House for the president’s signature.”
Coons added that “The passage of this bipartisan legislation represents the continuation of America’s unshakable, seven-decade commitment to Israel’s security. The security assistance included in this bill will help Israel protect itself in the midst of regional instability; deter – and if necessary defend against – Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas; and deepen bilateral ties for the next decade and beyond.”
Senator Rubio is a member of the U.S. Senate Foreigns Relations Committee.