Reps. Crow, Lamborn Lead Bipartisan Letter with Majority of HASC Members Supporting Increased Missile Defense Cooperation with Israel

WASHINGTON — Representative Jason Crow (CO-06) and Representative Doug Lamborn (CO-05) co-led a bipartisan letter signed by a majority of members on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) to the Secretary of Defense in support of increased defense cooperation between the United States and Israel. 

The letter asks the Department of Defense to provide an assessment on the following: 

1)  Israel’s short- and long-term security threats, including an analysis of the capabilities of terrorist groups and regional state actors hostile to Israel; 

2)  Israeli capabilities to meet and defend against these threats, as well as any shortfalls or capability gaps; and 

3)  An assessment of the potential for increased U.S.-Israel defense collaboration, particularly in emerging technologies including but not limited to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy, automation, and space. 

“As a former Army Ranger, I know that the support we give our partners abroad directly impacts safety and security at home,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m proud to stand with Congressman Lamborn in calling for increased US-Israeli cooperation to understand growing threats to Israel, examine Israel’s ability to combat those threats, and determine opportunities for additional cooperation on advanced technologies. Together, this will bolster US national security and support Israel’s regional defenses.”

“Defense collaboration between the United States and Israel has resulted in groundbreaking technological achievements. I am very pleased that there is bipartisan consensus on the House Armed Services Committee supporting this relationship,” said Congressman Lamborn. “Defense technology developed jointly by the United States and Israel has saved countless lives. Continued collaboration has immense potential for achievements in emerging technology sectors.” 

Co-signers include: Rep. Mark Alford (MO-04), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Jim Banks (IN-3), Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04), Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01), Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), Rep. Sam Graves (MO-06), Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rep. Jeff Jackson (NC-14), Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01), Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03), Rep. Nicholas LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01), Rep. Lisa McClain (MI-09), Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-06), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06), Rep. James Moylan (Guam), Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Rep. Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Dale Strong (AL-05), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Michael Turner (OH-10), Rep. Gabriel Vasquez (NM-02), Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. Robert Wittman (VA-01). 

The text of the letter can be found here.