National Defense Authorization Act of 2014

H.R.1960
Introduced: 
May 14, 2013
113
First
June 14, 2013
Passed in House

This annual bill gives the Dept. of Defense legal authority to carry out its activities. The relevant sections concern cooperative programs implemented by the Israeli and U.S. armed forces, conditions on military aid to Egypt, and reactions to developments in Syria and Iran.

Military Aid for Israel

The Missile Defense Agency would be authorized to spend up to $489 m. on the development of joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs and the Iron Dome missile defense system, more than the FY 2014 executive request for those programs. Specifically, $220.3 m. would be authorized for the Iron Dome, accommodating the first-ever executive request for Iron Dome funding, and $268.7 m. for the cooperative programs, a $173 m. increase to the executive request. Of the $268.7 m. for cooperative programs, $149.7 m. would be for the David’s Sling system, $74.7 m. for the Arrow 3 program, and $44.3 m. for the Arrow program.

This bill would also authorize up to $15 m. for investment in expanding the capacity to produce an Iron Dome system in the U.S.

At the time of this bill’s introduction, Israel had 5 Iron Dome batteries operational. The FY 2014 authorization in this bill was designed to double capacity so that Israel can field 10 batteries. Israeli Cooperative Programs are designed to protect Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region, to increase overall cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, and to ‘contribute technology and expertise to U.S. systems.’

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) submitted an amendment that would have removed the $220.309 m. for the Iron Dome, but it was struck down in a floor vote, 61–362.

Responding to the Upheaval in Egypt

This bill includes numerous provisions expressing the sense of Congress on the recent events in Egypt and 1 that would install a new congressional oversight procedure.

In terms of oversight, this bill would require the secretaries of defense and state to collaborate on a comprehensive plan for U.S. military aid to Egypt. The plan would include an analysis of the actions taken by the Egyptian government to dismantle al-Qa‘ida and related groups in the Sinai. It would also include, inter alia, a review of steps taken to restrict the smuggling of illicit materials into Gaza and a description of long-term goals for U.S. military assistance.

Reacting to the Crisis in Syria

This bill would authorize new funds, convey the sense of Congress regarding the growing crisis, and restrict U.S. dealings with a Russian weapons manufacturer.

It would authorize $4 m. in assistance for military and civilian response organizations in a handful of countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, enabling them to better respond to incidents related to chemical weapons. The defense secretary would be required to report on the assistance provided.

This bill would convey, through a variety of statements, the sense of Congress that the U.S. should be doing more to facilitate the removal of Bashar al-Asad from power and to facilitate a transition to a democratic government in Syria.

An amendment added by Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) stated that the U.S. should discontinue purchasing defense articles from Russian weapons exporter Rosoboronexport unless the secretary of state can confirm that the company is not supplying the S-300 missiles that are being transferred to the al-Asad government.

Managing Relations with Iran

Regarding the sanctions program and the potential threat from Iranian nuclear weapons, this bill authorizes new programs and activities, conveys the sense of Congress, and enhances congressional oversight.

Acknowledging the president’s stated desire for such an undertaking, this bill would authorize the installation of an additional missile defense site on the East Coast of the U.S. to defend against possible intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) from the Middle East. Construction was set to cost $3 b. and be completed by FY 2018. This provision cites several U

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