Brown is One of 77 Original Cosponsors

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced his cosponsorship of a bill that would help strengthen economic and security ties between the United States and Israel. The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 would facilitate an increase in U.S.-Israeli cooperation on defense and would reiterate U.S. support for a peaceful negotiated political settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians.

“As Israel defends itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks, it is critical that the United States take action to reaffirm our commitment to Israel’s security and economic growth,” Brown said. “This legislation would ensure the continuation of the strong historic alliance between our two nations.”

The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 would enhance collaboration between these two allies on a number of fronts including: advanced energy, water, homeland security, defense, and immigration.

This bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and is an updated version of legislation they introduced in March 2013. The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act encourages cooperative work with Israel to help it meet the Visa Waiver Program’s entry requirements and authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security – in consultation with the Secretary of State and at the Secretary’s discretion – to waive the nonimmigrant visitor visa refusal rate requirement for Israel if Israel meets all other program requirements and if the  refusal rate for Israeli citizens visiting the United States does not exceed 10 percent.

The Visa Waiver Program, which is currently extended to 38 countries, allows business or leisure travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.

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