United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-907
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]
Introduced: 2015-02-12
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation

Conflicts and wars

Congressional oversight

Foreign aid and international relief

Iraq

Jordan

Middle East

Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Military education and training

Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Syria

Terrorism
Latest action: action_date: 2016-02-18
text: Became Public Law No: 114-123.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-02-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 </strong></p> <p>Expresses the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is fully consistent with U. S. security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security.</p> <p>Amends the Arms Export Control Act to include Jordan among the countries eligible for certain streamlined defense sales.</p> <p>Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include Jordan among the countries not required to be included in the annual foreign military training report submitted by the Department of Defense and the Department of State to Congress.</p> <p>Authorizes the Department of State to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.</p>

action_date: 2015-07-07
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><strong>United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 3) States that it should be U.S. policy to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations, and help secure Jordan's borders with Syria and Iraq. </p> <p>(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to Jordan is fully consistent with U.S. security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Includes Jordan for three years among the countries eligible for certain streamlined defense sales, licensing agreements, and technical assistance under the Arms Export Control Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Department of State to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.</p>

action_date: 2016-02-03
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p><strong>United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill specifies the findings of Congress that: </p> <ul> <li> as of January 22, 2015, the United States has provided over $3 billion in assistance to respond to the Syria humanitarian crisis, of which nearly $467 million has been provided to Jordan; </li> <li> as of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan, 83.8% of whom lived outside refugee camps; </li> <li> in 2000 the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001; </li> <li> in 1996 the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status; and </li> <li> Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 3) U.S. policy should be to: </p> <ul> <li> support Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, </li> <li> provide necessary assistance to support the basic needs of the assimilated Syrian refugees, </li> <li> cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from ISIL or other terrorist organizations, and </li> <li> help secure the border between Jordan and Syria and Iraq. </li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 4) It is the sense of Congress that: </p> <ul> <li>expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to Jordan is fully consistent with U. S. security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security; and </li> <li>it is in the interest of peace and stability for regional members of the Global Coalition to Combat ISIL to increase their involvement in addressing the ISIL threat.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 5) The Arms Export Control Act is amended to include Jordan among the countries eligible for certain streamlined defense sales for three years.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) The Department of State is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase economic support funds and military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.</p>

action_date: 2016-02-18
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on February 3, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill specifies the findings of Congress that: </p> <ul> <li> as of January 22, 2015, the United States has provided over $3 billion in assistance to respond to the Syria humanitarian crisis, of which nearly $467 million has been provided to Jordan; </li> <li> as of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan, 83.8% of whom lived outside refugee camps; </li> <li> in 2000 the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001; </li> <li> in 1996 the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status; and </li> <li> Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 3) U.S. policy should be to: </p> <ul> <li> support Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, </li> <li> provide necessary assistance to support the basic needs of the assimilated Syrian refugees, </li> <li> cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from ISIL or other terrorist organizations, and </li> <li> help secure the border between Jordan and Syria and Iraq. </li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 4) It is the sense of Congress that: </p> <ul> <li>expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to Jordan is fully consistent with U. S. security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security; and </li> <li>it is in the interest of peace and stability for regional members of the Global Coalition to Combat ISIL to increase their involvement in addressing the ISIL threat.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 5) The Arms Export Control Act is amended to include Jordan among the countries eligible for certain streamlined defense sales for three years.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) The Department of State is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase economic support funds and military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 907 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 12, 2015 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself, Ms. Granger , Mr. Deutch , and Mrs. Lowey ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to the Syria humanitarian response, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of those refugees live outside refugee camps. (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001. (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status. (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council beginning in January 2014 and terminating in December 2015. (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is important to the national security of the United States, including through creation of a status in law for Jordan similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan. (8) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered by ISIL. (9) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 per year for the years 2015 through 2017. 3. Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, provide necessary assistance to alleviate the domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees, cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations, and help secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and Iraq. 4. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(b) ) is fully consistent with United States security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security. 5. Amendments to Arms Export Control Act The Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq. ) is amended— (1) in section 3 ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 )— (A) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting the Government of Jordan, before or the Government of New Zealand ; and (B) in subsection (d)— (i) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; (ii) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; and (iii) in paragraph (5), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; (2) in section 21 ( 22 U.S.C. 2761 )— (A) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; and (B) in subsection (h)— (i) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting Jordan, before or Israel ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting Jordan, before or Israel both places it appears; (3) in section 36 ( 22 U.S.C. 2776 )— (A) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; and (iii) in paragraph (6), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; (B) in subsection (c), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand both places it appears; and (C) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; (4) in section 62(c)(1) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1) ), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand ; and (5) in section 63(a)(2) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2) ), by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand . 6. Amendments to Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Section 656(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2416(a)(2) ) is amended by inserting Jordan, before or New Zealand . 7. Memorandum of understanding The Secretary of State is authorized, subject to the availability of appropriations, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase economic support funds, military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 907 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 8, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations AN ACT To improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to the Syria humanitarian response, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of those refugees live outside refugee camps. (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001. (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status. (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council beginning in January 2014 and terminating in December 2015. (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is important to the national security of the United States, including through creation of a status in law for Jordan similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan. (8) The Colorado National Guard’s relationship with the Jordanian military provides a significant benefit to both the United States and Jordan. (9) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered by ISIL. (10) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 per year for the years 2015 through 2017. 3. Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, provide necessary assistance to alleviate the domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees, cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations, and help secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and Iraq. 4. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(b) ) is fully consistent with United States security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security. 5. Enhanced defense cooperation (a) In general For the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall be treated as if it were a country listed in the provisions of law described in subsection (b) for purposes of applying and administering such provisions of law. (b) Provisions of law The provisions of law described in this subsection are the following provisions of the Arms Export Control Act: (1) Subsections (b)(2), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i), and (d)(5) of section 3 ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 ). (2) Subsections (e)(2)(A), (h)(1)(A), (h)(2) of section 21 ( 22 U.S.C. 2761 ). (3) Subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6), (c), and (d)(2)(A) of section 36 ( 22 U.S.C. 2776 ). (4) Section 62(c)(1) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1) ). (5) Section 63(a)(2) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2) ). 6. Memorandum of understanding The Secretary of State is authorized, subject to the availability of appropriations, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to increase economic support funds, military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.

Passed the House of Representatives July 7, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 907 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to the Syria humanitarian response, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of those refugees live outside refugee camps. (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001. (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status. (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council beginning in January 2014 and terminating in December 2015. (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is important to the national security of the United States, including through creation of a status in law for Jordan similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan. (8) The Colorado National Guard’s relationship with the Jordanian military provides a significant benefit to both the United States and Jordan. (9) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered by ISIL. (10) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 per year for the years 2015 through 2017. 3. Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, provide necessary assistance to alleviate the domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees, cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations, and help secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and Iraq. 4. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(b) ) is fully consistent with United States security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security. 5. Enhanced defense cooperation (a) In general For the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall be treated as if it were a country listed in the provisions of law described in subsection (b) for purposes of applying and administering such provisions of law. (b) Provisions of law The provisions of law described in this subsection are the following provisions of the Arms Export Control Act: (1) Subsections (b)(2), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i), and (d)(5) of section 3 ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 ). (2) Subsections (e)(2)(A), (h)(1)(A), (h)(2) of section 21 ( 22 U.S.C. 2761 ). (3) Subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6), (c), and (d)(2)(A) of section 36 ( 22 U.S.C. 2776 ). (4) Section 62(c)(1) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1) ). (5) Section 63(a)(2) ( 22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2) ). 6. Memorandum of understanding The Secretary of State is authorized, subject to the availability of appropriations, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to increase economic support funds, military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.

Passed the House of Representatives July 7, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H.R. 907 In the Senate of the United States, February 3, 2016. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 907) entitled An Act to improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. , do pass with the following Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to respond to the Syria humanitarian crisis, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been provided to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of whom lived outside refugee camps. (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001. (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status. (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a 2-year term ending in December 2015. (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is important to the national security of the United States, including through creation of a status in law for Jordan similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan. (8) The Colorado National Guard’s relationship with the Jordanian military provides a significant benefit to both the United States and Jordan. (9) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered by ISIL. (10) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 for each of the years 2015 through 2017. (11) On December 5, 2014, in an interview on CBS This Morning, Jordanian King Abdullah II stated— (A) in reference to ISIL, This is a Muslim problem. We need to take ownership of this. We need to stand up and say what is wrong ; and (B) This is our war. This is a war inside Islam. So we have to own up to it. We have to take the lead. We have to start fighting back. . 3. Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States— (1) to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis; (2) to provide necessary assistance to alleviate the domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees; (3) to cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations; and (4) to help secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and Iraq. 4. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(b) ) is fully consistent with United States security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security; (2) Congress welcomes the statement of King Abdullah II quoted in section (2)(11); and (3) it is in the interest of peace and stability for regional members of the Global Coalition to Combat ISIL to continue their commitment to, and increase their involvement in, addressing the threat posed by ISIL. 5. Enhanced defense cooperation (a) In general During the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall be treated as if it were a country listed in the provisions of law described in subsection (b) for purposes of applying and administering such provisions of law. (b) Arms Export Control Act The provisions of law described in this subsection are— (1) subsections (b)(2), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i), and (d)(5) of section 3 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 ); (2) subsections (e)(2)(A), (h)(1)(A), and (h)(2) of section 21 of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2761 ); (3) subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6), (c), and (d)(2)(A) of section 36 of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776 ); (4) section 62(c)(1) of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1) ); and (5) section 63(a)(2) of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2) ). 6. Memorandum of understanding Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of State is authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to increase economic support funds, military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.

Secretary

tv_txt: I One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen H. R. 907 AN ACT To improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) As of January 22, 2015, the United States Government has provided $3,046,343,000 in assistance to respond to the Syria humanitarian crisis, of which nearly $467,000,000 has been provided to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (2) As of January 2015, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 621,937 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan and 83.8 percent of whom lived outside refugee camps. (3) In 2000, the United States and Jordan signed a free-trade agreement that went into force in 2001. (4) In 1996, the United States granted Jordan major non-NATO ally status. (5) Jordan is suffering from the Syrian refugee crisis and the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (6) The Government of Jordan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a 2-year term ending in December 2015. (7) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with Jordan is important to the national security of the United States, including through creation of a status in law for Jordan similar to the countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, with respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to Jordan. (8) The Colorado National Guard’s relationship with the Jordanian military provides a significant benefit to both the United States and Jordan. (9) Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was brutally murdered by ISIL. (10) On February 3, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh signed a new Memorandum of Understanding that reflects the intention to increase United States assistance to the Government of Jordan from $660,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 for each of the years 2015 through 2017. (11) On December 5, 2014, in an interview on CBS This Morning, Jordanian King Abdullah II stated— (A) in reference to ISIL, This is a Muslim problem. We need to take ownership of this. We need to stand up and say what is wrong ; and (B) This is our war. This is a war inside Islam. So we have to own up to it. We have to take the lead. We have to start fighting back. . 3. Statement of policy It should be the policy of the United States— (1) to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis; (2) to provide necessary assistance to alleviate the domestic burden to provide basic needs for the assimilated Syrian refugees; (3) to cooperate with Jordan to combat the terrorist threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or other terrorist organizations; and (4) to help secure the border between Jordan and its neighbors Syria and Iraq. 4. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(b) ) is fully consistent with United States security and foreign policy interests and the objectives of world peace and security; (2) Congress welcomes the statement of King Abdullah II quoted in section (2)(11); and (3) it is in the interest of peace and stability for regional members of the Global Coalition to Combat ISIL to continue their commitment to, and increase their involvement in, addressing the threat posed by ISIL. 5. Enhanced defense cooperation (a) In general During the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall be treated as if it were a country listed in the provisions of law described in subsection (b) for purposes of applying and administering such provisions of law. (b) Arms Export Control Act The provisions of law described in this subsection are— (1) subsections (b)(2), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i), and (d)(5) of section 3 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2753 ); (2) subsections (e)(2)(A), (h)(1)(A), and (h)(2) of section 21 of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2761 ); (3) subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6), (c), and (d)(2)(A) of section 36 of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776 ); (4) section 62(c)(1) of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1) ); and (5) section 63(a)(2) of such Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2) ). 6. Memorandum of understanding Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of State is authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to increase economic support funds, military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.