WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026. This bill would strengthen the U.S.–Israel alliance and establish a United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation defense technologies, ensuring that investments in collaborative technologies deliver an operational edge to America's servicemembers. Representative Don Davis (NC-01) is co-leading this legislation in the House, and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
“This legislation secures America’s competitive edge in defense technology and reinforces our alliance with Israel, our greatest partner in the Middle East, to deter evolving global threats,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are ensuring the technological supremacy of our military and delivering the unmatched capabilities our warfighters need to dominate the battlefield and protect the American people.”
“The U.S. has a long history of working with our ally Israel on defense programs to counter unmanned aerial systems from our adversaries, strengthen missile defense, and detect and neutralize underground tunnels threatening the security of our two respective countries,” said Senator Ted Budd. “The U.S.-Israel FUTURES Act offers an opportunity to strengthen existing bilateral programs by advancing joint investments such as emerging technologies, defense industrial base cooperation, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology initiatives. I am proud to be working with Senator Gillibrand to advance regional security in the Middle East and strengthen U.S. and Israeli defense.”
“By establishing the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, we are fortifying a vital partnership, accelerating joint development, and transforming groundbreaking research into operational capabilities,” said Rep. Don Davis. “As emerging threats like unmanned systems and electronic warfare evolve, technical cooperation stands as a critical pillar in preparing our servicemembers for the challenges of tomorrow.”
“This bipartisan initiative will enable long-term collaboration on shared security goals between the United States and our vital democratic ally Israel,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “We must strengthen our military and technological capabilities to counter continued and future threats in the region.”
Foundation for Defense of Democracies Action, Tyler Stapleton, Senior Director of Government Relations: “The United States and Israel benefit enormously from each other's defense technologies and manufacturing efficiencies. Israel innovates and fields defense systems with rapid deployments out of necessity, given the layered and immediate threats it faces. The United States–Israel FUTURES Act builds on decades of successful collaboration by improving cooperation across the public, private, and academic sectors to swiftly develop, test, and field defense technologies that will help safeguard U.S. service members and provide Israel with the means to combat a diverse set of threats from foreign adversarial states and terror groups. FDD Action strongly supports the bipartisan United States-Israel FUTURES Act.”
Bill text can be found here.
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