CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanAmendment · S.Amdt. 3822· Senate(119-SAMDT-3822)

S.Amdt. 3822

Rep. Ernst
Age: 56 years
Iowa
Introduced
9/8/2025
Sponsored by
Joni Ernst
Cosponsors
Republican - 0Democrat - 1
Changes bill
119-S-2296 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

This amendment aims to add a new section (SEC. 1265) to the bill to create the Middle East Defense Technology Innovation Cooperation Initiative.

The purpose of this initiative is to establish cooperation with defense innovation partners in the Middle East to build a strong international community of defense innovation entities. This is intended to address shared challenges from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran-backed terrorist threats (such as Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah), and other violent extremist organizations within the United States Central Command area of responsibility.

The amendment proposes the following:

  • Goals and Focus: The initiative aims to procure leading commercial technology, develop interoperable solutions, and strengthen security postures through co-development and co-production. It specifically focuses on unmanned systems (aerial, underwater, and surface vehicles), capabilities to counter those systems, and advanced intelligence.

  • Partnership Levels: It establishes a path from exploratory defense innovation partnerships (which involve events, information exchanges, and meetings) to potential mature defense innovation partnerships. Mature partnerships could include signing cooperation agreements, exchanging liaison officers, and using commercial opportunities like prize challenges and accelerators.

  • Accountability and Oversight:

    • The Secretary of Defense must determine if mature partnerships are feasible based on national security interests and risks, including relationships those partners have with the People's Republic of China.
    • The Secretary of State, consulting with the CIA, must provide an annual certification for specific countries (including Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain) ensuring they protect U.S. technology and are not misusing defense articles against civilians or civilian infrastructure.
    • The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Commerce must ensure the protection of intellectual property for U.S. companies involved.