Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 7/10/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, introduced the Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act, bipartisan legislation that will expedite arms sales to U.S. partners that have normalized relations with Israel and are actively working with the United States to counter Iran and its terrorist proxies. 

Specifically, it would narrow the timeline for congressional consideration after arms sales are accepted, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for arms sales themselves. This is the same preferential treatment that our NATO allies receive. 

Chairman Lawler is joined in introducing the bill by Representatives Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Bryan Steil (WI-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Jeff Crank (CO-05), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), David Kustoff (TN-08), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), John Rose (TN-06), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Joe Wilson (SC-02).

“As Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, I am committed to strengthening our relationships with regional partners and putting our ally Israel in the best position possible to do the same. There is no question that fostering deeper security relationships is key here,” said Chairman Lawler. “This legislation will do just that by providing greater benefits to our Abraham Accords and counterterrorism partners. It represents a key step toward implementation of the Abraham Accords and turning shared diplomatic commitments into real-world cooperation. Lastly, it sends a strong message to adversaries: the United States and its allies will not allow Iran’s proxies to destabilize the region unchecked.”

“The Abraham Accords have been a historic model for peace between Israel and its neighbors, and we should be doing everything we can to expand it and bring more states into the fold,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “This commonsense bill builds on the progress of the Abraham Accords to incentivize others to normalize relations with Israel and cooperate against the threat of Iran and Iranian proxies, safeguarding our ally Israel’s very right to exist in the process,” said Congressman Moskowitz.

“There are too many bureaucratic barriers that prevent us from assisting our closest allies in global security. This bill strengthens the ties forged by the Abraham Accords by ensuring our partners have expedited access to the tools they need to stand against Iran and its terrorist proxies. Israel is one of our closest and most vital allies, and peace through strength is the only way to secure the region and protect American interests. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to build on the success of the Abraham Accords and combat terrorism abroad,”  said Chairman Ryan Zinke of the House Foreign Affairs Foreign Military Sales Taskforce.

“The Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act strengthens Israel’s qualitative military edge and ensures that our allies have the tools they need to confront shared threats head-on,” said Congressman Davis. “Congress must send a clear message to Iran and its proxies: America stands firmly with Israel and with those who choose peace and stability over terror. Israel’s security is non-negotiable and the United States will never waver in defending our closest ally in the Middle East.”

“The Abraham Accords marked a major step toward peace in the Middle East, countering Iran’s influence and supporting our most important regional ally, Israel. The Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act builds on this historic agreement by encouraging the normalization of relations with Israel, combating Iran and its terrorist proxies, and strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Congressman Steil.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

###

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.