Congress Approves $2.42 Billion in Aid to Israel

Congress acted to provide Israel with critical assistance.

Congress on Wednesday gave final approval to $2.42 billion in U.S. aid to Israel, including $2.38 billion in military aid and $39.6 million in assistance for the resettlement of refugees from the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and Ethiopia. The House and Senate approved the funding as part of a comprehensive federal funding package, including the annual foreign-aid bill containing Israel’s aid. The bill also includes restrictions on aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA), including a prohibition from using U.S. funds to pay the salaries of Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. For the first time, Congress through a provision in the bill links Egypt’s economic and military aid to Cairo’s efforts in stemming weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. The bill now awaits President Bush’s signature.

Bush Signs Bill Boosting U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation

Bush signed energy bill.

President Bush signed into law landmark energy legislation that includes key provisions promoting U.S.-Israel energy cooperation. The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act encourages cooperation in the field of alternative energy by establishing a grant program that will fund joint projects between U.S. and Israeli entities. The U.S.-Israel energy cooperation provisions were spearheaded in the House by Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) and in the Senate by Sens. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA). The broader energy package includes historic provisions that increase fuel efficiency of vehicles and promote the use of alternative fuels. These provisions have the potential to decrease U.S. oil consumption by up to 3 million barrels a day.

Source: AIPAC http://www.aipac.org/130.asp#6706