United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
- Committees
- Foreign Relations Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 12, 2026
Bottom line
This bill seeks to formalize and significantly expand defense technology collaboration between the United States and Israel to enhance mutual security and technological supremacy.
What it actually does
This bill establishes the "United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative" to significantly expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation. It mandates the Secretary of Defense to identify technologies for integration into U.S. systems, conduct collaborative research, facilitate technology transition, and promote joint ventures across domains like counter-unmanned systems, missile defense, AI, and cyber defense. The bill authorizes $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to fund these activities and includes reporting requirements to Congress and for public transparency.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue the bill strengthens a vital strategic alliance, leverages Israel's innovation to enhance U.S. military capabilities and technological supremacy, and addresses evolving security challenges through joint research and rapid technology deployment. They emphasize the shared democratic values and strategic interests that bind the two nations, making such cooperation essential for mutual defense.
Opponents contend
While direct opposition to enhancing U.S.-Israel defense cooperation is rare, potential critics might raise concerns about the cost of the initiative, the protection of sensitive U.S. technology, or the potential for entanglement in regional conflicts. Some might also question the efficiency of establishing a new initiative versus leveraging existing cooperation frameworks, potentially leading to bureaucratic overlap.
The bill is concise and straightforward, allowing for a quick and comprehensive understanding of its provisions within a short timeframe.
Section 1
Short Title
This section formally names the Act as the "United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026." This provides a recognizable and concise name for the legislation, making it easier for the public and policymakers to identify and refer to the bill.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a clear and descriptive short title helps in identifying and referring to the legislation, making it easier for the public and policymakers to discuss and track its progress.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against short titles, as they are standard legislative practice and serve a practical purpose in legislative discourse.
Section 2
Affirmation of U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership
This section outlines Congress's view that the United States and Israel share democratic values, strategic interests, and deep ties. It emphasizes that Israel is a strategic and capable ally, a global leader in defense technology, and that sustained joint research has yielded critical advances. The section concludes by stating the need to expand cooperation in emerging domains to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge and grow American technological supremacy.
Section 3(a)
Establishment of the FUTURES Initiative
This section mandates the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of Israel's Minister of Defense, to establish a new cooperative initiative called the "United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative." Its core purpose is to expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation. This includes identifying technologies for U.S. systems, conducting collaborative research, facilitating technology transition, establishing joint ventures, and promoting joint training.
Section 3(b)
Key Areas of Defense Technology Cooperation
This subsection specifies ten key technological domains where the new Initiative will focus its cooperative efforts. These include counter-unmanned systems (aerial, maritime, ground), anti-tunneling, missile and air defense technologies (including "Golden Dome for America"), artificial intelligence, quantum, machine learning, autonomous systems, directed energy, advanced sensing, cyber defense, electronic warfare, digital resilience, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, medical defense, network integration, data fusion, contested logistics, defense industrial base cooperation, manufacturing, co-production, and other jointly agreed emerging technologies.
Section 4
Congressional Oversight and Public Transparency
This section mandates both an interim progress update within 180 days of enactment and annual reports thereafter to the congressional defense committees on the Initiative's implementation. These reports must describe activities, assess progress, detail technologies transitioned, partnerships established, and recommend future priorities. It also requires public, unclassified updates on a Department of Defense website to promote transparency, while ensuring classified or sensitive information is protected.
Section 5
Funding for the FUTURES Act
This section authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 to carry out the Act. This provides the necessary financial resources for the establishment and operation of the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, enabling its various research, development, and integration activities over a three-year period.