America Stands with Israel Act
Bill: H.R.3976 | Sponsor: Rep. Budd, Ted (R-NC)
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
America Stands with Israel Act
This bill authorizes the President to introduce U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or to direct immediate transfer of defense articles or services to ensure the survival of Israel and its people from an existing or imminent threat.

To provide defense and security assistance to ensure the survival of 
Israel and its people from an existing or imminent military threat, and 
                          for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``America Stands with Israel Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS EXISTING OR IMMINENT MILITARY THREAT TO 
              ISRAEL.

    (a) Authority.--The President, upon request of the Prime Minister 
of Israel, is authorized to carry out such actions that may be 
necessary to ensure the survival of Israel and its people from an 
existing or imminent military threat, including threats from other 
countries, terrorist organizations, and violent extremist, cyber, and 
chemical, biological, and nuclear threats. Any activities carried out 
pursuant to such authority shall be conducted in a manner that 
appropriately protects the national security interests of the United 
States and the national security interests of Israel.
    (b) Use of Force.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        President is authorized to use force and introduce United 
        States Armed Forces--
                    (A) into hostilities or into situations where 
                imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly 
                indicated by the circumstances;
                    (B) into the territory, airspace or waters of a 
                foreign country, while equipped for combat; or
                    (C) in numbers which substantially enlarge United 
                States Armed Forces equipped for combat already located 
                in a foreign country.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 48 hours after exercising the 
        authority under this subsection, the President shall submit to 
        the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the 
        President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, 
        setting forth--
                    (A) the circumstances necessitating the 
                introduction of United States Armed Forces;
                    (B) the constitutional and legislative authority 
                under which such introduction took place; and
                    (C) the estimated scope and duration of the 
                hostilities or any other situation described in 
                paragraph (1).
    (c) Other Information To Be Reported.--The President shall provide 
such other information as Congress may request in the fulfillment of 
its constitutional responsibilities with respect to exercising the 
authority under subsection (b).
    (d) Periodic Reports; Semiannual Requirement.--Whenever United 
States Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or into any other 
situation described in subsection (b), the President shall, so long as 
such Armed Forces continue to be engaged in such hostilities or 
situation, report to Congress periodically on the status of such 
hostilities or situation as well as on the scope and duration of such 
hostilities or situation, but in no event shall the President report to 
Congress less often than once every six months.

SEC. 3. WAIVER FOR EXISTING OR IMMINENT MILITARY THREAT TO ISRAEL.

    Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(l) Waiver for Existing or Imminent Military Threat to Israel.--
            ``(1) In general.--Upon receiving information that Israel 
        is under an existing or imminent threat of military attack, the 
        President may waive the requirements of this Act and direct the 
        immediate transfer to Israel of such defense articles or 
        services the President determines to be necessary to assist 
        Israel in its defense against such threat. Amounts obligated or 
        expended to carry out this paragraph shall not be subject to 
        any limitation in law, or provision of any bilateral agreement, 
        relating to the amount of United States assistance authorized 
        to be made available to Israel.
            ``(2) Notification required.--As soon as practicable after 
        a transfer of defense articles or services pursuant to the 
        authority provided by paragraph (1), the President shall 
        provide a notification in writing to Congress of the details of 
        such transfer, consistent with the requirements of section 36 
        of this Act.''.
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