Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Congress has been examining legislation that would
enhance the U.S. commitment to Israel’s military superiority in the Middle
East.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has introduced a bill that would
require the president to report on whether Israel retained its “qualitative
military edge” over its Arab neighbors. The bill, called the “United
States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act 2012,” stipulated a
presidential report within 180 days.

“We must support our ally and send a message that the United States and Israel will always stand together,” Cantor said.

The legislation was introduced amid Israel’s concerns that its
deterrence was slipping with the emergence of Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Iran has also been providing missiles and other heavy weapons to such proxies as Hamas and Hizbullah.

Cantor’s bill, introduced on March 5, called on Congress to support Israel in the development and production of joint missile defense systems. Another clause called on Washington to supply defense equipment and services to Israel, including air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities and specialized munitions.

Congressional sources acknowledged that the administrations of President
George W. Bush and President Barack Obama denied or delayed Israeli
requests for air refueling systems and advanced bunker-busters. They said
the administrations feared that Israel would use the U.S. weapons in attacks
on Iran.

The bill, referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also called
on the United States to provide Israel with military surplus and allocate
additional weapons and munitions for the U.S. stockpile in the Jewish state.
Cantor and co-sponsor House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer cited the need for
U.S. assets in wake of the withdrawal from Iraq in December.

“The threat from Iran’s nuclear ambitions is real and demands serious,
cooperative effort by both the United States and Israel,” Hoyer said.

  advanced bunker-busters, Cantor bill would ensure Israel’s ‘qualitative military edge’ as Iran advances, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, joint missile defense system, United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act