REPS LIEU AND STEFANIK REINTRODUCE BILL TO DEVELOP DIRECTED ENERGY DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY WITH ISRAEL
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles), who previously served on active duty, and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced the bipartisan U.S.-Israel Directed Energy Cooperation Act. The legislation authorizes the Department of Defense to carry out bilateral cooperation with Israel to develop directed energy capabilities that address threats to both nations.
Upon introduction, Rep. Lieu said:
"The ability to stop ballistic missiles and other major threats through directed energy technology, such as lasers will save lives. This is an opportunity for the U.S. to work with our strongest ally in the region, Israel, to develop technology that will protect against emerging threats. I am proud to introduce the U.S.-Israel Directed Energy Cooperation Act with Rep. Stefanik to support bilateral collaboration with Israel, another leader in directed energy research."
Upon introduction, Rep. Stefanik said:
"Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East, and working together to enhance security for both of our nations is of the utmost importance. This bipartisan legislation allows the United States to continue our collaboration with Israel to effectively counter a wide array of adversarial threats across the globe by increasing U.S.-Israel cooperation on directed energy technology to ensure a stronger and more secure nation, and I'm proud to reintroduce it with my colleague across the aisle."
In 2017, the Department of Defense issued a report to Congress on the merits of U.S.-Israel cooperation on directed energy, concluding that, "The United States should pursue joint collaboration with Israel on directed energy capabilities."
In 2018, Michael Griffin, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, discussed the future of directed energy weapons at the Directed Energy Summit. According to media coverage, the Undersecretary conveyed that, "America should also take advantage of the brain power that traditional U.S. allies and partners can offer in the development of these technologies so they can be developed together."
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