Gottheimer, Garbarino reintroduce bill to expand U.S.-Israel cooperation against Iranian drones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Andrew Garbarino of New York reintroduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday aimed at expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned threats that lawmakers say are increasingly used by Iran and its proxies.
The measure, titled the U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act, would broaden earlier legislation by extending its focus beyond aerial drones to cover unmanned systems “across air, sea, and land domains” and would increase authorized funding to $100 million, according to the lawmakers’ announcement.
“As Iran and its terrorist proxies ramp up their use of deadly unmanned systems — from aerial drones to other advanced, unmanned weapons — we must move faster and think bigger,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “These attacks are targeting Israeli civilians, U.S. service members, critical infrastructure, and international shipping. This strengthened bipartisan bill will ensure the United States and Israel are fully equipped, fully funded, and fully coordinated to stop these threats before more innocent lives are lost.”
The lawmakers said Iran and allied groups have used drones in attacks across the Middle East, including against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, Israeli civilian targets, maritime shipping in the Red Sea and energy infrastructure. They also cited drone use during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and said unmanned systems were featured in Iran’s attacks on Israel in 2024 and 2025.
“The threat posed by hostile drones is real and growing, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind. This bipartisan legislation strengthens cooperation with Israel and ensures our militaries have the tools they need to defend against evolving threats. I’m proud to introduce this bill with Congressman Gottheimer to protect our national security and keep Americans and our allies safe,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-2).
The bill would expand joint research, development, testing and deployment of counter-unmanned systems technologies, enhance intelligence sharing and joint training, and require annual reports to Congress on progress and remaining threats, according to the summary. It would also strengthen and leverage the U.S.-Israel Operations Technology Working Group as a central coordinating hub for counter-unmanned systems efforts.
“The U.S. and Israel face growing threats from unmanned aerial systems that are capable of overwhelming traditional air defense technologies. U.S. and Israeli partnerships in counter missile and drone innovations have proven essential as Iran, Russia, Turkey, and terror groups have used drones to target U.S. military personnel, civilians, and critical infrastructure. The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act would boost existing cooperation and help build out new capabilities to meet the evolving threats the U.S. and Israel face globally. We commend Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Andrew Garbarino for their dedicated bipartisan work to meet this challenge head on,” said Tyler Stapleton, Senior Director of Government Relations for FDD Action.
Original co-sponsors listed by the lawmakers include Reps. Ted Lieu of California, Don Bacon of Nebraska, David Valadao and Brad Sherman of California, Don Davis of North Carolina, Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Tom Suozzi and Nick LaLota of New York, and Dave Joyce of Ohio.
