U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8), an original member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today applauded the passage of legislation to enhance security cooperation with Israel, which passed last night on a voice vote.  The U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act would reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the state of Israel by extending loan guarantees to Israel and extending authority to transfer surplus U.S. defense articles to Israel.  The bill also seeks to enhance the U.S. and Israel’s capacity to address common threats and increase security coordination through cooperative programs.

“The effort to stay one step ahead of those who want to do us harm does not stop at our borders,” said Pascrell, who is a cosponsor of the Act.  “We must cooperate efficiently and effectively with our international partners in order to gather the information we need to prevent terrorist attacks before they happen, while also contributing to the defense of our allies from threats.  I am proud that this vital work to build closer security ties with trusted allies like Israel continues to be a bipartisan priority in the United States Congress.”

The U.S-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act builds on the cooperative programs already being implemented within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the Promoting Antiterrorism Capabilities through International Cooperation Act, which Congressman Pascrell worked to pass during his time on the House Homeland Security Committee.  That bill became law as part of the 2007 legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

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