US COVID-19 relief bill includes increasing US-Israel research funding

The legislation also includes $47.5 million in anti-tunnel technology and $25 million for counter-unmanned aerial systems.

By OMRI NAHMIAS
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. January 30, 2018 (photo credit: JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS)
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. January 30, 2018
(photo credit: JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS)
WASHINGTON – Congress on Monday approved an $892 billion coronavirus aid package, throwing a lifeline to the nation’s pandemic-battered economy after months of inaction, while also keeping the federal government funded.
Following days of negotiation, both legislative chambers worked deep into the night to pass the bill – worth about $2.3 trillion, including spending for the rest of the fiscal year – with the House of Representatives first approving it and the Senate following suit several hours later in a bipartisan 92-6 vote.
The 2021 spending bill includes $3.8b. in aid to Israel: $3.3b. in security assistance and $500 million for US-Israel missile defense cooperation. The legislation also includes $47.5m. in anti-tunnel technology and $25m. for counter-unmanned aerial systems.
It also provides $50m. to fund and authorize the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Fund, “which will provide investments in people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation... between Israelis and Palestinians with the goal of supporting a negotiated and sustainable two-state solution.”
The bill provides funds for research and cooperation in several areas: $2m. to fund a new US-Israel cooperative initiative on COVID-related and health technologies research; $2m. to fund a new Israel-USAID international development cooperative program to support local solutions to address sustainability challenges; $4m. for the US-Israel Center of Excellence in Energy and Water. Additional funds would support US-Israel energy cooperative programs and biometrics, cybersecurity and video analytics.
“AIPAC applauds the US Congress for ensuring critical support for Israel’s security and strengthening the US-Israel relationship through key provisions included in the funding bill for fiscal year 2021,” the organization said. “The measure funds several cooperative programs furthering the diverse partnership between the two countries in such areas as COVID-19 research, sustainable international development, water, energy and cyber.”
The bill also doubled the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $180m. for the fiscal year 2021. Jewish organizations have advocated for the past year to increase the funding from $90m. up to $360m. to secure nonprofits and synagogues from hate crimes.
Reuters contributed to this report.