U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7178

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-21: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-02-11T13:46:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026 aims to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Israel in developing and deploying technologies to counter threats from unmanned systems (commonly known as drones), particularly those originating from Iran and its proxies. It builds on existing U.S. law to address growing risks to U.S. forces, allies, and regional stability by enhancing joint research, information sharing, and military readiness.

Key Provisions

• Findings: The bill outlines a series of documented incidents highlighting the threat of Iran-origin unmanned systems, including surveillance drones, armed drones, and loitering munitions (drones designed to hover and strike targets, often called "suicide drones"). Examples include attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, strikes on Saudi Arabia and UAE, incidents targeting Israel, and support to groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah. It also notes Iran's exports of drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

• Sense of Congress: Expresses that the U.S. should prioritize collaboration with Israel to:
• Rapidly research, develop, and deploy anti-drone technologies.
• Share intelligence on Iran-linked drone threats.
• Conduct joint training and establish data-sharing mechanisms for tactics and expertise.
• Coordinate with U.S. and Israeli military acquisition offices to speed up deployment.
• Use the existing U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group (established in prior law) as the central hub for these efforts.

• Amendments to Existing Law: Modifies Section 1278 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which previously authorized U.S.-Israel cooperation on counter-drone efforts.
• Increases authorized funding from $55 million to $100 million for related activities.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit annual reports to Congress, detailing:
• Progress on joint activities, including threat assessments, program integration, and transitions to full deployment.
• Evaluations of U.S. and Israeli anti-drone capabilities against Iran-linked threats.
• Recommendations for future actions and funding.
• Defines "unmanned system" as any remotely piloted or autonomous vehicle, per U.S. legal standards (14 U.S.C. § 319).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Funding Increase: Doubles the authorized appropriations for U.S.-Israel anti-drone cooperation, providing more resources for joint projects.
• New Reporting Requirements: Introduces mandatory annual reports to Congress, shifting from one-time or periodic updates to ongoing oversight. This includes detailed threat assessments and progress metrics, which were not previously required at this frequency.
• Structural Updates: Reorganizes subsections in the NDAA for clarity and inserts the new reporting provision, ensuring alignment with broader U.S.-Israel security partnerships.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense (DoD) will face increased administrative burdens from annual reporting and coordination with Israeli counterparts, but gains enhanced tools for countering drone threats in the Middle East. This could accelerate deployment of anti-drone systems, improving readiness for U.S. forces.
• On Citizens: Indirect benefits for U.S. citizens through better protection of American personnel abroad (e.g., in Iraq and Syria) from drone attacks, potentially reducing casualties. No direct impact on domestic civilians.
• On International Relations: Bolsters U.S.-Israel strategic ties, signaling strong U.S. support against shared threats from Iran. It may encourage similar cooperation with allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while escalating tensions with Iran and its proxies by highlighting their drone activities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Department of Defense and Military: Primary implementers, responsible for funding, reporting, and joint operations.
• Israeli Government and Military: Key partners in research, training, and technology sharing to defend against regional drone threats.
• U.S. Congress: Receives annual reports for oversight and future funding decisions.
• U.S. Allies in the Middle East (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE): Indirectly benefit from improved regional defenses against Iran-backed drone attacks.
• Iran and Its Proxies (e.g., Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas): Face heightened countermeasures, potentially limiting their operational capabilities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with existing authorities under the NDAA for international military cooperation, without creating new enforcement powers. The funding increase requires congressional appropriations, maintaining separation of powers.
• Constitutional: Supports Congress's role in authorizing defense spending and foreign policy (Article I, Section 8), while reinforcing executive branch flexibility in military partnerships.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) for U.S.-Israel security ties amid ongoing Middle East conflicts. It underscores a focus on countering Iran without broader sanctions or military commitments, potentially influencing U.S. foreign aid debates and regional alliances. No major controversies noted in the bill text itself.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (13)

Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-21: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-01-21: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-21 — PDF (10 pages)