United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (12 Feb 2025): Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What this bill does
H.R. 1229, the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, would expand and extend several joint U.S.-Israel defense programs. It directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a new Counter-Unmanned Systems Program with Israel, authorizing $150 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030, and creates a similar authority for joint research on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum computing, and automation, authorized at $50 million annually for the same period, subject to a cost-sharing agreement and reporting requirements. It also raises funding caps and extends deadlines for existing anti-tunnel and counter-drone cooperation programs, extends the authority to store U.S. war reserve stockpiles, requires establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel, directs discussions on Israel's inclusion in the U.S. national technology and industrial base, and requires an assessment of regional missile defense cooperation involving Israel and other partners.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, which would oversee the new programs, and the U.S.-Israel defense relationship more broadly, including private-sector and academic participants in joint research. It could also affect defense budgeting through the new spending authorizations.
The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) with Rep. Norcross, and referred to the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
This bill requires or authorizes certain actions to increase defense-related cooperation between the United States and Israel.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to
• establish a cooperative program, with the concurrence of Israel's Ministry of Defense (MOD), to develop and deploy advanced technologies for countering unmanned systems that threaten the United States and Israel;
• establish in Israel an office of the Defense Innovation Unit (an organization that focuses on rapidly fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military); and
• seek to engage Israel's MOD on the ascension of Israel into the national technology and industrial base (currently defined in law as the persons and organizations engaged in research, development, production, integration, services, or information technology activities conducted within the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada).
The bill authorizes DOD, upon request of Israel's MOD, to jointly conduct research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to meet defense challenges.
Additionally, the bill extends the authority for DOD to (1) carry out RDT&E on a joint basis with Israel to establish anti-tunnel and counter unmanned aerial systems capabilities through 2028, and (2) transfer defense articles intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel through January 1, 2029.
Timeline
12 Feb 2025
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1229 do?
- H.R. 1229, the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, would expand and extend several joint U.S.-Israel defense programs. It directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a new Counter-Unmanned Systems Program with Israel, authorizing $150 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030, and creates a similar authority for joint research on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum computing, and automation, authorized at $50 million annually for the same period, subject to a cost-sharing agreement and reporting requirements. It also raises funding caps and extends deadlines for existing anti-tunnel and counter-drone cooperation programs, extends the authority to store U.S. war reserve stockpiles, requires establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel, directs discussions on Israel's inclusion in the U.S. national technology and industrial base, and requires an assessment of regional missile defense cooperation involving Israel and other partners. The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense, which would oversee the new programs, and the U.S.-Israel defense relationship more broadly, including private-sector and academic participants in joint research. It could also affect defense budgeting through the new spending authorizations. The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) with Rep. Norcross, and referred to the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President before taking effect.
- Has H.R. 1229 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1229. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1229?
- H.R. 1229 was sponsored by Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] (R-SC), with 178 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1229?
- Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (12 Feb 2025).
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