Floor SpeechNeutral2026-06-24

Text of Senate Amendment 6357

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Context

On 2026-06-24, Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6357" in the Senate.

Full Text

Text of Senate Amendment 6357

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3478] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6357. Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. McCormick) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title XII, insert the following: SEC. 12___. EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN GATEWAY ACT. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act''. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support the role of Eastern Mediterranean countries as a strategic gateway in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). (c) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched at the G20 Summit in 2023 with G7 backing, enhances connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe while serving as a strategic alternative to Chinese infrastructure investments. (2) The Eastern Mediterranean region is of strategic importance to the United States and its allies, as demonstrated by the United States founding role in the 3+1 framework with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. (3) Energy projects such as the Great Sea Interconnector, the Gregy Interconnection Project, the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector, and the LNG terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean play a key role in European energy security and provide critical infrastructure that can serve as the backbone for linking India, the Gulf, and Europe through the Eastern Mediterranean and improve opportunities for United States energy security. (4) Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, and Israel are key United States partners in promoting stability, security, and economic development in the region. (5) Enhanced defense and security cooperation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges, strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties. (6) According to Presidential Determination 2025-03, ``the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of Cyprus will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace''. (7) The statement of policy in the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2022 (22 U.S.C. 8601 note), notably that it is the policy of the United States ``to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords to encourage other nations to normalize relations with Israel'', should guide the Secretary of State and other United States actors in their work to promote integration between India, the Middle East and southeast Europe. (8) India has strengthened strategic ties with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, fostering economic, maritime, and security cooperation that aligns with United States regional priorities. (9) The success of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor depends on infrastructure, security, and innovation partnerships rooted in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which serves as the primary connective hub linking the Gulf and Indian subcontinent to Europe. (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the significance of diplomatic initiatives such as the Greece-Cyprus-Israel-US ``3+1'' format, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum and the Abraham Accords should be recognized and the United States should maintain its leadership role in these diplomatic initiatives; (2) the United States should continue to actively participate in the initiatives of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum; (3) the Eastern Mediterranean region is a key gateway that can link three continents and the United States should support energy and transportation infrastructure, connectivity initiatives, defense cooperation, and other forms of integration in and around the region; (4) the United States recognizes the unique role of Eastern Mediterranean countries as both a distinct subregion and a central connector within the broader IMEC corridor; (5) the ``3+1'' diplomatic initiative should resume with a meeting of the Secretary of State with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus; and (6) the statement of policy in section 203 of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 2373 note) should guide the Secretary of State in promoting connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe, including participation in the trilateral dialogue on energy, maritime security, cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure conducted among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. (e) Diplomacy in Eastern Mediterranean Region.-- (1) Strategic dialogues.--The Secretary of State may institutionalize multilateral strategic dialogues between the United States and IMEC countries, including dedicated formats with Eastern Mediterranean countries, with which the United States has a bilateral strategic dialogue. (2) Prioritization of the eastern mediterranean.--The Secretary of State shall prioritize the Eastern Mediterranean region in United States foreign policy, focusing on energy security and defense cooperation with countries in such region. (f) Reports and Studies.-- (1) Report on implementation.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 5 years and every 2 years thereafter for 10 years, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the implementation and effect of this Act, including an update on energy projects and defense cooperation that are being carried out pursuant to the authorities of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. (B) Contents.--The report required by subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment detailing how IMEC is helping to boost connections and trade between relevant United States partners with the aim of countering the influence of the People's Republic of China. (2) Report on multilateral initiatives.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on each multilateral initiative between the United States and IMEC countries. (3) Analysis of cyprus centre for land, open seas, and port security.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall analyze insights gained from the operation of the Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security as a potential model for broad-based multilateral cooperation. (4) Study of program creation and expansion.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the cost of, steps to, and feasibility of-- (A) creating bilateral programs with Eastern Mediterranean countries modeled on bilateral programs between the United States and Israel, including-- (i) the Binational Agriculture Research and Development Fund; (ii) the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (including projects relating to homeland security and cybersecurity); (iii) the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation; and (iv) the United States-Israel Science and Technology Foundation; and (B) expanding bilateral programs between the United States and Israel, including the programs listed in subparagraph (A), to include other Eastern Mediterranean countries and IMEC countries. (g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Eastern mediterranean country.--The term ``Eastern Mediterranean country'' refers to the following countries: (A) The Arab Republic of Egypt. (B) The Hellenic Republic. (C) The Republic of Cyprus. (D) The State of Israel. (3) IMEC country.--The term ``IMEC country'' means any of the following countries: (A) The European Union. (B) The Federal Republic of Germany. (C) The French Republic. (D) The Italian Republic. (E) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (F) The Republic of India. (G) The United Arab Emirates. (H) The United States. (I) Any other country that the Secretary of State designates as an IMEC country for purposes of this section. ______

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Text of Senate Amendment 6357 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3478] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6357. Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. McCormick) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title XII, insert the following: SEC. 12___. EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN GATEWAY ACT. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act''. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support the role of Eastern Mediterranean countries as a strategic gateway in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). (c) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched at the G20 Summit in 2023 with G7 backing, enhances connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe while serving as a strategic alternative to Chinese infrastructure investments. (2) The Eastern Mediterranean region is of strategic importance to the United States and its allies, as demonstrated by the United States founding role in the 3+1 framework with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. (3) Energy projects such as the Great Sea Interconnector, the Gregy Interconnection Project, the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector, and the LNG terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean play a key role in European energy security and provide critical infrastructure that can serve as the backbone for linking India, the Gulf, and Europe through the Eastern Mediterranean and improve opportunities for United States energy security. (4) Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, and Israel are key United States partners in promoting stability, security, and economic development in the region. (5) Enhanced defense and security cooperation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges, strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties. (6) According to Presidential Determination 2025-03, ``the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of Cyprus will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace''. (7) The statement of policy in the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2022 (22 U.S.C. 8601 note), notably that it is the policy of the United States ``to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords to encourage other nations to normalize relations with Israel'', should guide the Secretary of State and other United States actors in their work to promote integration between India, the Middle East and southeast Europe. (8) India has strengthened strategic ties with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, fostering economic, maritime, and security cooperation that aligns with United States regional priorities. (9) The success of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor depends on infrastructure, security, and innovation partnerships rooted in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which serves as the primary connective hub linking the Gulf and Indian subcontinent to Europe. (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the significance of diplomatic initiatives such as the Greece-Cyprus-Israel-US ``3+1'' format, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum and the Abraham Accords should be recognized and the United States should maintain its leadership role in these diplomatic initiatives; (2) the United States should continue to actively participate in the initiatives of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum; (3) the Eastern Mediterranean region is a key gateway that can link three continents and the United States should support energy and transportation infrastructure, connectivity initiatives, defense cooperation, and other forms of integration in and around the region; (4) the United States recognizes the unique role of Eastern Mediterranean countries as both a distinct subregion and a central connector within the broader IMEC corridor; (5) the ``3+1'' diplomatic initiative should resume with a meeting of the Secretary of State with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus; and (6) the statement of policy in section 203 of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 2373 note) should guide the Secretary of State in promoting connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe, including participation in the trilateral dialogue on energy, maritime security, cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure conducted among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. (e) Diplomacy in Eastern Mediterranean Region.-- (1) Strategic dialogues.--The Secretary of State may institutionalize multilateral strategic dialogues between the United States and IMEC countries, including dedicated formats with Eastern Mediterranean countries, with which the United States has a bilateral strategic dialogue. (2) Prioritization of the eastern mediterranean.--The Secretary of State shall prioritize the Eastern Mediterranean region in United States foreign policy, focusing on energy security and defense cooperation with countries in such region. (f) Reports and Studies.-- (1) Report on implementation.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 5 years and every 2 years thereafter for 10 years, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the implementation and effect of this Act, including an update on energy projects and defense cooperation that are being carried out pursuant to the authorities of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. (B) Contents.--The report required by subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment detailing how IMEC is helping to boost connections and trade between relevant United States partners with the aim of countering the influence of the People's Republic of China. (2) Report on multilateral initiatives.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on each multilateral initiative between the United States and IMEC countries. (3) Analysis of cyprus centre for land, open seas, and port security.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall analyze insights gained from the operation of the Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security as a potential model for broad-based multilateral cooperation. (4) Study of program creation and expansion.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the cost of, steps to, and feasibility of-- (A) creating bilateral programs with Eastern Mediterranean countries modeled on bilateral programs between the United States and Israel, including-- (i) the Binational Agriculture Research and Development Fund; (ii) the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (including projects relating to homeland security and cybersecurity); (iii) the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation; and (iv) the United States-Israel Science and Technology Foundation; and (B) expanding bilateral programs between the United States and Israel, including the programs listed in subparagraph (A), to include other Eastern Mediterranean countries and IMEC countries. (g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Eastern mediterranean country.--The term ``Eastern Mediterranean country'' refers to the following countries: (A) The Arab Republic of Egypt. (B) The Hellenic Republic. (C) The Republic of Cyprus. (D) The State of Israel. (3) IMEC country.--The term ``IMEC country'' means any of the following countries: (A) The European Union. (B) The Federal Republic of Germany. (C) The French Republic. (D) The Italian Republic. (E) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (F) The Republic of India. (G) The United Arab Emirates. (H) The United States. (I) Any other country that the Secretary of State designates as an IMEC country for purposes of this section. ______