Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019

To make improvements to certain defense and security assistance provisions and to authorize the appropriation of funds to Israel, to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and to halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. Appropriate congressional committees defined. Subtitle A—Security assistance for Israel Sec. 111. Findings. Sec. 112. Statement of policy regarding Israel’s defense systems. Sec. 113. Assistance for Israel. Sec. 114. Extension of war reserves stockpile authority. Sec. 115. Extension of loan guarantees to Israel. Sec. 116. Transfer of precision guided munitions to Israel. Sec. 117. Sense of Congress on rapid acquisition and deployment procedures. Sec. 118. Eligibility of Israel for the strategic trade authorization exception to certain export control licensing requirements. Subtitle B—Enhanced United States-Israel cooperation Sec. 121. United States-Israel space cooperation. Sec. 122. United States-Israel enhanced partnership for development cooperation in developing nations. Sec. 123. Authority to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to counter unmanned aerial vehicles that threaten the United States or Israel. Subtitle C—Ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge Sec. 131. Statement of policy. TITLE II—United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act Sec. 201. Short title. Sec. 202. Findings. Sec. 203. Sense of Congress. Sec. 204. Reauthorization of United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015. Sec. 205. Report on establishing an enterprise fund for Jordan. TITLE III—Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 Sec. 301. Short title. Subtitle A—Additional actions in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria Sec. 311. Measures with respect to Central Bank of Syria. Sec. 312. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in certain transactions. Subtitle B—Assistance for the people of Syria Sec. 321. Codification of certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized. Sec. 322. Briefing on strategy to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Subtitle C—General provisions Sec. 331. Suspension of sanctions. Sec. 332. Waivers and exemptions. Sec. 333. Implementation and regulatory authorities. Sec. 334. Rule of construction. Sec. 335. Sunset. TITLE IV—Combating BDS Act of 2019 Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Nonpreemption of measures by State and local governments to divest from entities that engage in certain boycott, divestment, or sanctions activities targeting Israel or persons doing business in Israel or Israeli-controlled territories. Sec. 403. Safe harbor for changes of investment policies by asset managers. Sec. 404. Sense of congress regarding certain ERISA plan investments. Sec. 405. Rule of construction. I Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 101. Short title This title may be cited as the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 102. Appropriate congressional committees defined In this title, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. A Security assistance for Israel 111. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) In February 1987, the United States granted Israel major non-NATO ally status. (2) On August 16, 2007, the United States and Israel signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on United States military assistance to Israel. The total assistance over the course of this understanding would equal $30 billion. (3) On July 27, 2012, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–150 22 U.S.C. 8601 to help the Government of Israel preserve its qualitative military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation provide the Government of Israel defense articles and defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and specialized munitions (4) On December 19, 2014, President Barack Obama signed into law the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–296 to continue to provide Israel with robust security assistance, including for the procurement of the Iron Dome Missile Defense System (5) Section 1679 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 ( Public Law 114–92 (6) On September 14, 2016, the United States and Israel signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the importance of continuing annual United States military assistance to Israel and cooperative missile defense programs in a way that enhances Israel’s security and strengthens the bilateral relationship between the two countries. (7) The 2016 Memorandum of Understanding reflected United States support of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to Israel over the 10-year period beginning in fiscal year 2019 and ending in fiscal year 2028. FMF grant assistance would be at a level of $3,300,000,000 annually, totaling $33 billion, the largest single pledge of military assistance ever and a reiteration of the seven-decade, unshakeable, bipartisan commitment of the United States to Israel’s security. (8) The Memorandum of Understanding also reflected United States support for funding for cooperative programs to develop, produce, and procure missile, rocket, and projectile defense capabilities over a 10-year period beginning in fiscal year 2019 and ending in fiscal year 2028 at a level of $500 million per year, totaling $5 billion. 112. Statement of policy regarding Israel’s defense systems It shall be the policy of the United States to provide assistance to the Government of Israel in order to support funding for cooperative programs to develop, produce, and procure missile, rocket, projectile, and other defense capabilities to help Israel meet its security needs and to help develop and enhance United States defense capabilities. 113. Assistance for Israel Section 513(c) of the Security Assistance Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106–280 (1) in paragraph (1), by striking 2002 and 2003 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking equal to— not less than $3,300,000,000. (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B). 114. Extension of war reserves stockpile authority Section 514(b)(2)(A) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)(A) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 115. Extension of loan guarantees to Israel Chapter 5 of title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 ( Public Law 108–11 Loan Guarantees to Israel (1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking September 30, 2019 September 30, 2023 (2) in the second proviso, by striking September 30, 2019 September 30, 2023 116. Transfer of precision guided munitions to Israel (a) In general Notwithstanding section 514 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2321h 22 U.S.C. 2751 (b) Certifications Except in case of emergency, not later than 5 days before making a transfer under this section, the President shall certify in an unclassified notification to the appropriate congressional committees that the transfer of the precision guided munitions— (1) does not affect the ability of the United States to maintain a sufficient supply of precision guided munitions; (2) does not harm the combat readiness of the United States or the ability of the United States to meet its commitment to allies for the transfer of such munitions; (3) is necessary for Israel to counter the threat of rockets in a timely fashion; and (4) is in the national security interest of the United States. 117. Sense of Congress on rapid acquisition and deployment procedures It is the sense of Congress that the President should prescribe procedures for the rapid acquisition and deployment of precision guided munitions for United States counterterrorism missions, or to assist an ally of the United States, including Israel, that is subject to direct missile threat. 118. Eligibility of Israel for the strategic trade authorization exception to certain export control licensing requirements (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Israel has adopted high standards in the field of export controls. (2) Israel has declared its unilateral adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. (3) Israel is a party to— (A) the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, signed at Geneva October 10, 1980; (B) the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva June 17, 1925; and (C) the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, adopted at Vienna October 26, 1979. (4) Section 6(b) of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 ( 22 U.S.C. 8603 (b) Report on eligibility for strategic trade authorization exception (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the steps taken pursuant to section 6(b) of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 ( 22 U.S.C. 8603 (2) Form The report required under paragraph (1) shall be provided in unclassified form, but may contain a classified portion. B Enhanced United States-Israel cooperation 121. United States-Israel space cooperation (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Authorized in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) supports and coordinates United States Government research in aeronautics, human exploration and operations, science, and space technology. (2) Established in 1983, the Israel Space Agency (ISA) supports the growth of Israel's space industry by supporting academic research, technological innovation, and educational activities. (3) The mutual interest of the United States and Israel in space exploration affords both nations an opportunity to leverage their unique abilities to advance scientific discovery. (4) In 1996, NASA and the ISA entered into an agreement outlining areas of mutual cooperation, which remained in force until 2005. (5) Since 1996, NASA and the ISA have successfully cooperated on many space programs supporting the Global Positioning System and research related to the sun, earth science, and the environment. (6) The bond between NASA and the ISA was permanently forged on February 1, 2003, with the loss of the crew of STS–107, including Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon. (7) On October 13, 2015, the United States and Israel signed the Framework Agreement between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the Israel Space Agency for Cooperation in Aeronautics and the Exploration and Use of Airspace and Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes. (b) Continuing cooperation The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to identify and cooperatively pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives in areas of mutual interest, taking all appropriate measures to protect sensitive information, intellectual property, trade secrets, and economic interests of the United States. 122. United States-Israel enhanced partnership for development cooperation in developing nations (a) Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States to partner with Israel in order to advance common goals across a wide variety of sectors, including energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, human rights and governance, economic growth and trade, education, environment, global health, and water and sanitation. (b) Memorandum of understanding The Secretary of State, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development in accordance with established procedures, is authorized to enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel in order to enhance coordination on advancing common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, human rights and governance, economic growth and trade, education, environment, global health, and water and sanitation with a focus on strengthening mutual ties and cooperation with nations throughout the world. 123. Authority to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to counter unmanned aerial vehicles that threaten the United States or Israel (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) On February 10, 2018, Iran launched from Syria an unmanned aerial vehicle (commonly known as a drone (2) According to a press report, the unmanned aerial vehicle was in Israeli airspace for a minute and a half before being shot down by its air force. (3) Senior Israeli officials stated that the unmanned aerial vehicle was an advanced piece of technology. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of the Congress that— (1) joint research and development to counter unmanned aerial vehicles will serve the national security interests of the United States and Israel; (2) Israel faces urgent and emerging threats from unmanned aerial vehicles, and other unmanned vehicles, launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah, from Syria by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, or from others seeking to attack Israel; (3) efforts to counter unmanned aerial vehicles should include the feasibility of utilizing directed energy and high powered microwave technologies, which can disable vehicles without kinetic destruction; and (4) the United States and Israel should continue to work together to defend against all threats to the safety, security, and national interests of both countries. (c) Authority To enter into agreement (1) In general The President is authorized to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel under the authority of section 27 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2767 (2) Applicable requirements The cooperative project agreement described in paragraph (1) shall— (A) provide that any activities carried out pursuant to the agreement are subject to— (i) the applicable requirements described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 27(b)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2767(b)(2) (ii) any other applicable requirements of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2751 (B) establish a framework to negotiate the rights to intellectual property developed under the agreement; and (C) include appropriate protections for sensitive technology. (d) Report on cooperation (1) Report required Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as that term is defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code), the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report describing the cooperation of the United States with Israel with respect to countering unmanned aerial systems that includes each of the following: (A) An identification of specific capability gaps of the United States and Israel with respect to countering unmanned aerial systems. (B) An identification of cooperative projects that would address those capability gaps and mutually benefit and strengthen the security of the United States and Israel. (C) An assessment of the projected cost for research and development efforts for such cooperative projects, including an identification of those to be conducted in the United States, and the timeline for the completion of each such project. (D) An assessment of the extent to which the capability gaps of the United States identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) are not likely to be addressed through the cooperative projects identified pursuant to subparagraph (B). (E) An assessment of the projected costs for procurement and fielding of any capabilities developed jointly pursuant to an agreement described in subsection (c). (2) Limitation No activities may be conducted pursuant to an agreement described in subsection (c) until the date that is 15 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits the report required under paragraph (1). C Ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge 131. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States to ensure that Israel maintains its ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military, or emerging, threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors, while sustaining minimal damages and casualties, through the use of superior military means, possessed in sufficient quantity, including weapons, command, control, communication, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities that in their technical characteristics are superior in capability to those of such other individual or possible coalition states or non-state actors. II United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act 201. Short title This title may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act 202. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) In December 2011, Congress passed section 7041(b) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 ( Public Law 112–74 Economic Support Fund (2) The intent of an enterprise fund is to attract private investment to help entrepreneurs and small businesses create jobs and to achieve sustainable economic development. (3) Jordan is an instrumental partner in the fight against terrorism, including as a member of the Global Coalition To Counter ISIS and the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. (4) In 2014, His Majesty King Abdullah stated that Jordanians and Americans have been standing shoulder to shoulder against extremism for many years, but to a new level with this coalition against ISIL (5) On February 3, 2015, the United States signed a 3-year memorandum of understanding with Jordan, pledging to provide the kingdom with $1,000,000,000 annually in United States foreign assistance, subject to the approval of Congress. 203. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Jordan plays a critical role in responding to the overwhelming humanitarian needs created by the conflict in Syria; and (2) Jordan, the United States, and other partners should continue working together to address this humanitarian crisis and promote regional stability, including through support for refugees in Jordan and internally displaced people along the Jordan-Syria border and the creation of conditions inside Syria that will allow for the secure, dignified, and voluntary return of people displaced by the crisis. 204. Reauthorization of United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 Section 5(a) of the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 (1) by striking During the 3-year period During the period (2) by inserting and ending on December 31, 2022 enactment of this Act 205. Report on establishing an enterprise fund for Jordan (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the establishment of the United States Development Finance Corporation, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report assessing the costs and benefits of the United States Development Finance Corporation establishing a Jordan Enterprise Fund. (b) Appropriate congressional committees In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. III Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 301. Short title This title may be cited as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 A Additional actions in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria 311. Measures with respect to Central Bank of Syria (a) Determination regarding Central Bank of Syria Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall determine, under section 5318A of title 31, United States Code, whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern. (b) Enhanced due diligence and reporting requirements If the Secretary of the Treasury determines under subsection (a) that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary, in consultation with the Federal functional regulators (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6809 (c) Report required (1) In general Not later than 90 days after making a determination under subsection (a) with respect to whether the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the reasons for the determination. (2) Form A report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 312. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in certain transactions (a) Imposition of sanctions (1) In general On and after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person if the President determines that the foreign person, on or after such date of enactment, knowingly engages in an activity described in paragraph (2). (2) Activities described A foreign person engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the foreign person— (A) knowingly provides significant financial, material, or technological support to, or knowingly engages in a significant transaction with— (i) the Government of Syria (including any entity owned or controlled by the Government of Syria) or a senior political figure of the Government of Syria; (ii) a foreign person that is a military contractor, mercenary, or a paramilitary force knowingly operating in a military capacity inside Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, or the Government of Iran; or (iii) a foreign person subject to sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (B) knowingly sells or provides significant goods, services, technology, information, or other support that significantly facilitates the maintenance or expansion of the Government of Syria's domestic production of natural gas, petroleum, or petroleum products; (C) knowingly sells or provides aircraft or spare aircraft parts that are used for military purposes in Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign person operating in an area directly or indirectly controlled by the Government of Syria or foreign forces associated with the Government of Syria; (D) knowingly provides significant goods or services associated with the operation of aircraft that are used for military purposes in Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign person operating in an area described in subparagraph (C); or (E) knowingly, directly or indirectly, provides significant construction or engineering services to the Government of Syria. (3) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that, in implementing this section, the President should consider financial support under paragraph (2)(A) to include the provision of loans, credits, or export credits. (b) Sanctions described (1) In general The sanctions to be imposed with respect to a foreign person subject to subsection (a) are the following: (A) Blocking of property The President shall exercise all of the powers granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i) Visas, admission, or parole An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, has knowingly engaged in any activity described in subsection (a)(2) is— (I) inadmissible to the United States; (II) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and (III) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (ii) Current visas revoked (I) In general The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(i) (II) Effect of revocation A revocation under subclause (I)— (aa) shall take effect immediately; and (bb) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. (2) Penalties The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1705 (3) Exception relating to importation of goods (A) In general The requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property under paragraph (1)(A) shall not include the authority to impose sanctions on the importation of goods. (B) Good defined In this paragraph, the term good (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Admitted; alien The terms admitted alien 8 U.S.C. 1101 (2) Foreign person The term foreign person (3) Knowingly The term knowingly (4) United States person The term United States person (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity. B Assistance for the people of Syria 321. Codification of certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall— (1) remain in effect on and after such date of enactment; and (2) in the case of a nongovernmental organization that is authorized to export or reexport services to Syria under such section on the day before such date of enactment, apply to such organization on and after such date of enactment to the same extent and in the same manner as such section applied to such organization on the day before such date of enactment. (b) Exception (1) In general Section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as codified under subsection (a), shall not apply with respect to a foreign person that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1189 (2) Effective date Paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a foreign person on and after the date on which the designation of that person as a terrorist organization is published in the Federal Register. 322. Briefing on strategy to facilitate humanitarian assistance (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the strategy of the President to help facilitate the ability of humanitarian organizations to access financial services to help facilitate the safe and timely delivery of assistance to communities in need in Syria. (b) Consideration of data from other countries and nongovernmental organizations In preparing the strategy required by subsection (a), the President shall consider credible data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations operating in Syria. (c) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. C General provisions 331. Suspension of sanctions (a) In general The President may suspend in whole or in part the imposition of sanctions otherwise required under this title for periods not to exceed 180 days if the President determines that the following criteria have been met in Syria: (1) The air space over Syria is no longer being utilized by the Government of Syria or the Government of the Russian Federation to target civilian populations through the use of incendiary devices, including barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and conventional arms, including air-delivered missiles and explosives. (2) Areas besieged by the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran, or a foreign person described in section 312(a)(2)(A)(ii) are no longer cut off from international aid and have regular access to humanitarian assistance, freedom of travel, and medical care. (3) The Government of Syria is releasing all political prisoners forcibly held within the prison system of the regime of Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria is allowing full access to the same facilities for investigations by appropriate international human rights organizations. (4) The forces of the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran, and any foreign person described in section 312(a)(2)(A)(ii) are no longer engaged in deliberate targeting of medical facilities, schools, residential areas, and community gathering places, including markets, in violation of international norms. (5) The Government of Syria is— (A) taking steps to verifiably fulfill its commitments under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, done at Geneva September 3, 1992, and entered into force April 29, 1997 (commonly known as the Chemical Weapons Convention (B) making tangible progress toward becoming a signatory to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, done at Washington, London, and Moscow April 10, 1972, and entered into force March 26, 1975 (26 UST 583). (6) The Government of Syria is permitting the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrians displaced by the conflict. (7) The Government of Syria is taking verifiable steps to establish meaningful accountability for perpetrators of war crimes in Syria and justice for victims of war crimes committed by the Assad regime, including by participation in a credible and independent truth and reconciliation process. (b) Briefing required Not later than 30 days after the President makes a determination described in subsection (a), the President shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the determination and the suspension of sanctions pursuant to the determination. (c) Reimposition of sanctions Any sanctions suspended under subsection (a) shall be reimposed if the President determines that the criteria described in that subsection are no longer being met. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the President to terminate the application of sanctions under section 312 with respect to a person that no longer engages in activities described in subsection (a)(2) of that section. (e) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 332. Waivers and exemptions (a) Exemptions The following activities and transactions shall be exempt from sanctions authorized under this title: (1) Any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3091 (2) Any transaction necessary to comply with United States obligations under— (A) the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States; (B) the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967; or (C) any other international agreement to which the United States is a party. (b) Waiver (1) In general The President may, for periods not to exceed 180 days, waive the application of any provision of this title with respect to a foreign person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States. (2) Briefing Not later than 90 days after the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the waiver. (c) Humanitarian waiver (1) In general The President may waive, for renewable periods not to exceed 2 years, the application of any provision of this title with respect to a nongovernmental organization providing humanitarian assistance not covered by the authorization described in section 321 if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is important to address a humanitarian need and is consistent with the national security interests of the United States. (2) Briefing Not later than 90 days after the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the waiver. (d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 333. Implementation and regulatory authorities (a) Implementation authority The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1702 (b) Regulatory authority The President shall, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations as necessary for the implementation of this title. 334. Rule of construction Nothing in this title shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 335. Sunset This title shall cease to be effective on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. IV Combating BDS Act of 2019 401. Short title This title may be cited as the Combating BDS Act of 2019 402. Nonpreemption of measures by State and local governments to divest from entities that engage in certain boycott, divestment, or sanctions activities targeting Israel or persons doing business in Israel or Israeli-controlled territories (a) State and local measures Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State or local government may adopt and enforce measures that meet the requirements of subsection (c) to divest the assets of the State or local government from, prohibit investment of the assets of the State or local government in, or restrict contracting by the State or local government for goods and services with— (1) an entity that the State or local government determines, using credible information available to the public, knowingly engages in an activity described in subsection (b); (2) a successor entity or subunit of an entity described in paragraph (1); or (3) an entity that owns or controls or is owned or controlled by an entity described in paragraph (1). (b) Activities described An activity described in this subsection is a commerce-related or investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity in the course of interstate or international commerce that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or Israeli-controlled territories for purposes of coercing political action by, or imposing policy positions on, the Government of Israel. (c) Requirements A State or local government that seeks to adopt or enforce a measure under subsection (a) shall meet the following requirements: (1) Notice The State or local government shall provide written notice— (A) in the case of a measure relating to divestment or investment, to each entity to which the measure is to be applied; and (B) in the case of a measure relating to contracting, of the restrictions imposed by the measure to each prospective contractor before entering into a contract. (2) Timing A measure relating to divestment or investment shall apply to an entity not earlier than the date that is 90 days after the date on which written notice is provided to the entity under paragraph (1). (3) Opportunity for comment In the case of a measure relating to divestment or investment, the State or local government shall provide an opportunity to comment in writing to each entity to which the measure is to be applied. If the entity demonstrates to the State or local government that neither the entity nor any entity related to the entity as described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a) has knowingly engaged in an activity described in subsection (b), the measure shall not apply to the entity. (4) Disclosure in contracting measures The State or local government may require, in a measure relating to contracting, that a prospective contractor disclose whether the prospective contractor or any entity related to the prospective contractor as described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a) knowingly engages in any activity described in subsection (b) before entering into a contract. (5) Sense of Congress on avoiding erroneous targeting It is the sense of Congress that a State or local government should not adopt a measure under subsection (a) with respect to an entity unless the State or local government has made every effort to avoid erroneously targeting the entity and has verified that the entity engages in an activity described in subsection (b). (d) Notice to Department of Justice (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 30 days after adopting a measure described in subsection (a), the State or local government that adopted the measure shall submit written notice to the Attorney General describing the measure. (2) Existing measures With respect to measures described in subsection (a) adopted before the date of the enactment of this Act, the State or local government that adopted the measure shall submit written notice to the Attorney General describing the measure not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e) Nonpreemption A measure of a State or local government that is consistent with subsection (a) is not preempted by any Federal law. (f) Prior enacted measures (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other provision of law, and except as provided in paragraph (2), a State or local government may enforce a measure described in subsection (a) adopted by the State or local government before the date of the enactment of this Act without regard to the requirements of subsection (c). (2) Application of notice and opportunity for comment Enforcement of a measure described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to the requirements of subsection (c) on and after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (g) Rules of construction (1) Authority of States Nothing in this section shall be construed to abridge the authority of a State to issue and enforce rules governing the safety, soundness, and solvency of a financial institution subject to its jurisdiction or the business of insurance pursuant to the Act of March 9, 1945 (59 Stat. 33, chapter 20; 15 U.S.C. 1011 McCarran-Ferguson Act (2) Policy of the United States Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the established policy of the United States concerning final status issues associated with the Arab-Israeli conflict, including border delineation, that can only be resolved through direct negotiations between the parties. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) Assets (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term assets (B) Exception The term assets 29 U.S.C. 1001 (2) Entity The term entity (A) any corporation, company, business association, partnership, or trust; and (B) any governmental entity or instrumentality of a government, including a multilateral development institution (as defined in section 1701(c)(3) of the International Financial Institutions Act ( 22 U.S.C. 262r(c)(3) (3) Investment The term investment (A) a commitment or contribution of funds or property; (B) a loan or other extension of credit; and (C) the entry into or renewal of a contract for goods or services. (4) Knowingly The term knowingly (5) State The term State (6) State or local government The term State or local government (A) any State and any agency or instrumentality thereof; (B) any local government within a State and any agency or instrumentality thereof; and (C) any other governmental instrumentality of a State or locality. 403. Safe harbor for changes of investment policies by asset managers Section 13(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–13(c)(1) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ; or (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) knowingly engage in any activity described in section 402(b) of the Combating BDS Act of 2019 . 404. Sense of congress regarding certain ERISA plan investments It is the sense of Congress that— (1) a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan, as defined in section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1002(3) (A) the fiduciary makes that determination using credible information that is available to the public; and (B) the fiduciary prudently determines that the result of that divestment or avoidance of investment would not be expected to provide the employee benefit plan with— (i) a lower rate of return than alternative investments with commensurate degrees of risk; or (ii) a higher degree of risk than alternative investments with commensurate rates of return; and (2) by divesting assets or avoiding the investment of assets as described in paragraph (1), the fiduciary is not breaching the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed upon the fiduciary by subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 404(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1104(a)(1) 405. Rule of construction Nothing in this title shall be construed to infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. January 4, 2019 Read the second time and placed on the calendar

Summary: Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 This bill authorizes assistance and weapons transfers to Israel, extends defense cooperation with Jordan, establishes additional sanctions related to the conflict in Syria, and allows states to divest from entities boycotting Israel. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2028 Foreign Military Financing to Israel. It extends loan guarantees to Israel through FY2023 and authorizes the President to transfer precision-guided munitions to the country. The bill directs the President to report on steps taken to help Israel secure a strategic trade authorization exception. The bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to continue working with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration, and authorizes the Department of State to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Israel to coordinate assistance efforts for developing nations. The President is authorized to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to develop technology to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act The bill extends through 2022 arrangements that allow certain defense articles to be transferred to Jordan on an expedited basis. The bill also directs the President to submit a report to Congress assessing the costs and benefits of establishing a fund to support private investment in Jordan. Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to determine whether the Central Bank of Syria is a primary money-laundering concern and, if so, impose special measures on transactions involving the bank. The bill also imposes sanctions on foreign individuals providing support for the Syrian government, or the military forces or contractors acting on behalf of Syria, Russia, or Iran. The sanctions include blocking of financial and property transactions and barring of entry into the United States. Such sanctions shall not apply to various nongovernmental organizations and activities related to providing humanitarian aid or supporting democratic institutions in Syria. The President may suspend the sanctions under certain conditions, including if it is in the United States' national security interests. Combating BDS Act of 2019 The bill allows a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities using boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies. Such measures shall meet various requirements, including those related to written notice and comment. It also bars lawsuits against investment companies based solely on a company's decision to divest from entities that use boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies. The bill expresses the sense of the Senate that, before any significant withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria or Afghanistan, the President should certify that the conditions for the enduring defeat of al Qaeda and ISIS have been met.