A bill to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-28
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-01-04
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars

Congressional oversight

Foreign aid and international relief

Jordan

Middle East

Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Public-private cooperation

Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Syria

U.S. and foreign investments
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-08
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 4.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act</b></p> <p>This 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.</p>

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 4 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 28 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 4, 2019 Mr. McConnell introduced the following bill; which was read the first time January 8, 2019 Read the second time and placed on the calendar A BILL To reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) In December 2011, Congress passed section 7041(b) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 ( Public Law 112–74 ; 125 Stat. 1223), which appropriated funds made available under the heading Economic Support Fund to establish an enterprise fund for Jordan. (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. 3. 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. 4. 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 note) is amended— (1) by striking During the 3-year period and inserting During the period ; and (2) by inserting and ending on December 31, 2022 after enactment of this Act . 5. 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 means— (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.

January 8, 2019 Read the second time and placed on the calendar