WASHINGTON, March 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. House has passed a bill to enhance cooperation in homeland security and counter-terror technology between the United States and Israel.
H.R. 884, the Promoting Anti-Terrorism Through Technology and Science Act, establishes a new office in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and authorizes a $25 million grant program for it to fund initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation between companies doing research and development in homeland security technologies in the United States and in designated "partner" nations.
Israel is among the partners designated in the bill, along with Britain, Canada, Australia, Singapore and other allies in the U.S. war on terror chosen by the administration.
The House approved the bill 396-16 Wednesday and similar provisions are in the Senate version of the Sept. 11 reform law being debated this week, so the measure is likely to make it on to the statute books.
The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee welcomed the move in a statement.
The office of international cooperation the bill would set up in the Department of Homeland Security would "foster joint projects" with "key allies in the war on terror, including Israel, a world leader in technological innovation and a country with a breath of experience in homeland security," said the statement.
"As Congress continues to seek innovative ways of protecting citizens and combating terrorists, it is increasingly looking to its friends overseas," the statement added.
The legislation requires foreign partners to match U.S. contributions to any joint projects through direct funding or by providing staff, facilities, material or equipment.
