Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1102
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Accidents
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Alliances
Asia
Aviation and airports
Bulgaria
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Cyprus
Defense spending
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Europe
European Union
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign loans and debt
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government lending and loan guarantees
Greece
Higher education
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Israel
Marine and inland water transportation
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Religion
Russia
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Syria
Technology transfer and commercialization
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
Transportation safety and security
Turkey
U.S. and foreign investments
United Nations
Visas and passports
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of State to enter into cooperative agreements to enhance cooperation on energy matters between the United States and Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The Department of Energy may establish a joint U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in the United States to further dialogue and academic cooperation in energy innovation technology, water science, and technology transfer. 
 
An existing ban on transferring defense articles and services on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus is modified to allow for such transfers if Cyprus is the end user of the articles or services. Specifically, the State Department shall not deny exports, reexports or transfers of defense articles and services to Cyprus if the request is made by or on behalf of Cyprus and if Cyprus is the end user of such articles or services.
 
No funds may be obligated or expended to facilitate the transfer of an F-35 aircraft (or to provide any related items or data) to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey does not plan to accept delivery of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. 
 
The State Department shall report on (1) a strategy for enhancing security and energy cooperation with Eastern Mediterranean countries, (2) malign Russian influence in the region, and (3) violations of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone and Greece's airspace.

action_date: 2019-07-10
text: 

Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of State to enter into cooperative agreements to enhance cooperation on energy matters between the United States and Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The Department of Energy may establish a joint U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in the United States to further dialogue and academic cooperation in energy innovation technology, water science, and technology transfer. 
 
An existing ban on transferring defense articles and services on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus is modified to allow for such transfers if Cyprus is the end user of the articles or services. Specifically, the State Department shall not deny exports, reexports or transfers of defense articles and services to or from Cyprus if the request is made by or on behalf of Cyprus and if Cyprus is the end user of such articles or services.
 
No funds may be obligated or expended to facilitate the transfer of an F-35 aircraft (or to provide any related items or data) to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey does not plan to accept delivery of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. 
 
The State Department shall report on (1) a strategy for enhancing security and energy cooperation with Eastern Mediterranean countries, (2) malign Russian influence in the region, and (3) violations of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone and Greece's airspace.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 142.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-06-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate