Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) to enhance collaboration between the United States and Israel on cybersecurity research and developments was signed into law on Friday.
Ratcliffe and U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) introduced the United States-Israel Advanced Research Partnership Act, H.R. 5877, after taking part in a congressional delegation trip to Israel in July that focused on cybersecurity issues.
Ratcliffe, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, said his work on the committee over the last two years has focused on protecting Americans from growing cybersecurity threats.
“When Rep. Langevin and I traveled to Israel earlier this year, our discussions with Israeli national security and cybersecurity leaders revealed the immense wealth of untapped potential we can leverage together to collectively vamp up our efforts to combat growing cyber threats,” Ratcliffe said. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work more closely with a country that’s a proven pioneer in cyber science and a top leader in cyber expertise.”
The new law will expand the research and development program at the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency to include cybersecurity technologies. The collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security will help both countries develop solutions to cybersecurity problems.
Cybersecurity is the national and economic security challenge of our time, Langevin said, and lawmakers must use every resource at their disposal to support research, foster innovation and fortify cyber defenses.
“Passage of this law will enhance cybersecurity for the United States and Israel, putting us on a shared path toward innovative solutions to the threats we face,” Langevin said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Ratcliffe to strengthen our relationship with Israel, including by passage of the United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act next Congress.”