Sponsors (10)
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Theodore Paul Budd · Last progress February 12, 2026
The bill speeds U.S.–Israel defense technology integration and joint R&D—boosting military capability and industry partnerships—while committing taxpayer funds and raising risks to domestic suppliers, export/control and security oversight, and program continuity.
Military personnel and taxpayers: U.S. forces would gain faster access to advanced Israeli-origin and jointly developed defense technologies, improving battlefield capabilities, interoperability, and readiness through accelerated transition into U.S. acquisition and fielding pathways.
U.S. defense contractors, tech workers, and small business owners: Expanded U.S.–Israel R&D, joint development, and co‑production can create defense manufacturing and high‑tech jobs and new partnership opportunities for U.S. firms.
Taxpayers and Congress: The bill reaffirms prior security commitments while creating regular unclassified reporting and congressional assessments to improve transparency and help identify resource or policy needs for long‑term integration.
Taxpayers and domestic firms: The bill authorizes $450 million over three years and emphasizes rapid integration and partnership priorities that could increase government defense spending and steer procurement toward partner-developed systems, potentially disadvantaging some U.S. suppliers.
Taxpayers, military personnel, and federal employees: Closer defense alignment with Israel raises risks of entanglement in regional security dynamics and increased chances of sensitive technology transfer or leaks, complicating export controls and operational security.
State/local governments, nonprofits, taxpayers, and program managers: The bill leaves allocation details unspecified, may increase DoD and program administrative workload and costs for reporting/implementation, and the three‑year authorization risks disrupting projects if funding is not extended.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Department of Defense–led U.S.–Israel defense technology cooperation initiative to identify, develop, and transition Israeli-origin and jointly developed technologies into U.S. military systems. Requires an initial briefing within 180 days and annual unclassified reports to congressional defense committees (with classified annexes allowed), directs interagency coordination, and authorizes $150 million per year for FY2027–2029 to carry out the initiative. Also states a non-binding Sense of Congress about the strategic U.S.–Israel partnership and lists priority technology domains (for example: counter‑UAS, missile/air defense, AI/quantum/autonomy, directed energy, cyber, biotechnology, and defense industrial base cooperation). The initiative must protect sensitive information, coordinate with existing DoD organizations, and promote joint training, licensing, and U.S.-based co‑production with Israeli industry.