For Immediate Release: July 26, 2006
Contact: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364; (202) 420-1524 [cell]
Rothman Applauds Passage of Legislation He Co-Sponsored to Invest in Joint Alternative Energy Research with Israel
(Washington, DC)— Today, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) applauded the passage of legislation he co-sponsored to bring together the top American and Israeli scientists and business leaders and fund their research of clean, alternative energy sources. Rothman has endorsed this bill—the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act—since it was first introduced in 2005 and urged his colleagues to support it.
"The United States' dependence on foreign oil is a national security crisis and our Achilles heel in the global war on terror," said Rothman. "I am proud to have co-sponsored the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act because I believe that by working together with Israel—our number one ally in the Middle East—we can dramatically reduce our dangerous reliance on old fuels imported from despots and dictators."
The U.S. and Israel already participate in strategic partnerships in intelligence, military training, and technology transfers. For instance, the U.S. benefits from state-of-the-art Israeli radar devices while Israel uses the latest U.S. aviation equipment. Thanks to this strong cooperative relationship, Rothman noted that: "We already have an excellent record of sharing technology with Israel. The Energy Cooperation Act extends our mutually beneficial relationship even further."
The bill passed the House of Representatives by voice vote this afternoon and now awaits passage by the U.S. Senate, which is expected to take it up this fall.
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