Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7177
Sponsor: Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2008-09-27 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arms sales
Chile
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
East Asia
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Israel
Latin America
Middle East and North Africa
Military assistance
Pakistan
Peru
Shipbuilding
South Asia
South Korea
Surplus government property
Warships

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: 
Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 - Authorizes the President to transfer certain excess naval vessels on a grant basis to Pakistan, Chile, and Peru. Terminates such authority two years after the enactment of this Act.
 
Directs the President to: (1) carry out an ongoing assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge over military threats; and (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel.
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge over military threats.
 
Makes specified foreign military financing program funds for FY2009 available on a grant basis for Israel. Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems by Israel.
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide special foreign military sales status for the Republic of Korea.

action_date: 2008-09-27
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 

Title I: Naval Vessel Transfer - 
Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Pakistan, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate MCINERNEY; (2) Chile, the KAISER class oiler ANDREW J. HIGGINS; and (3) Peru, the NEWPORT class amphibious tank landing ships FRESNO and RACINE. 
 
States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards).
 
Terminates transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act.
 

Title II: United States Arms Exports 
- (Sec. 201) Directs the President to: (1) carry out an ongoing assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act) over military threats; (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel; and (3) submit an initial report on such assessment to the appropriate congressional committees by June 30, 2009, and then every four years thereafter. 
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act for purposes of this provision) over military threats.
 
(Sec. 202) Makes specified foreign military financing program funds for FY2009 available on a grant basis for Israel. 
 
Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, including research and development, by Israel.
 
(Sec. 203) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide the Republic of Korea with special foreign military sales status, including expedited congressional review for export of U.S. defense items and services.

action_date: 2008-10-01
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

 
Title I: Naval Vessel Transfer - 
Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Pakistan, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate MCINERNEY; (2) Chile, the KAISER class oiler ANDREW J. HIGGINS; and (3) Peru, the NEWPORT class amphibious tank landing ships FRESNO and RACINE. 
States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards).
 
Terminates transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act.
 

Title II: United States Arms Exports 
- (Sec. 201) Directs the President to: (1) carry out an ongoing assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act) over military threats; (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel; and (3) submit an initial report on such assessment to the appropriate congressional committees by June 30, 2009, and then every four years thereafter. 
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act for purposes of this provision) over military threats.
 
(Sec. 202) Makes specified foreign military financing program funds for FY2009 available on a grant basis for Israel. 
 
Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, including research and development, by Israel.
 
(Sec. 203) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide the Republic of Korea with special foreign military sales status, including expedited congressional review for export of U.S. defense items and services.

action_date: 2008-10-15
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

 
Title I: Naval Vessel Transfer - 
Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Pakistan, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate MCINERNEY; (2) Chile, the KAISER class oiler ANDREW J. HIGGINS; and (3) Peru, the NEWPORT class amphibious tank landing ships FRESNO and RACINE. 
States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards).
 
Terminates transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act.
 

Title II: United States Arms Exports 
- (Sec. 201) Directs the President to: (1) carry out an ongoing assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act) over military threats; (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel; and (3) submit an initial report on such assessment to the appropriate congressional committees by June 30, 2009, and then every four years thereafter. 
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act for purposes of this provision) over military threats.
 
(Sec. 202) Makes specified foreign military financing program funds for FY2009 available on a grant basis for Israel. 
 
Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, including research and development, by Israel.
 
(Sec. 203) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide the Republic of Korea with special foreign military sales status, including expedited congressional review for export of U.S. defense items and services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-15
text: Became Public Law No: 110-429.
action_date: 2008-10-15
text: Became Public Law No: 110-429.
action_date: 2008-10-15
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-10-15
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-10-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-10-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-10-02
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10396)
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10396)
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10277)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10277)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7177.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10276-10278)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 110-429