Partnering with Israel to Detect and Defeat Terrorist Tunnels

3/30/15

Congressman Doug Lamborn has introduced H.R. 1649, The Partnering to Detect and Defeat Tunnels Act. This legislation is designed to bring high-level leadership and resources to address a problem facing America and Israel.

"We must be able to defend against illicit tunnels, whether on our southern border today or against terrorist attacks in the future. The terrorist group Hamas used tunnels against Israel to devastating effect; we have already seen rebels using tunnels against the Syrian regime. Sadly we know that terrorists are quick to learn, so it is likely only a matter of time before we see a terrorist group attack a U.S. or allied facility with tunnels. Detecting and defeating tunnels is not an easy task. That's why the government has already established an interagency tunnel working group and I am hopeful that my bill will aid in their efforts to protect ourselves and our allies."

- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

What this bill does

1. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into a partnership agreement with Israel to develop technology to detect and counter tunnels.

2. Allows the Secretary of Defense to enter into similar partnerships with other allied countries.

3. Requires the designation of a lead federal agency for the development of tunnel detection technology.

4. Requires the designation of a lead intelligence officer for tactical tunnels.

5. Requires an annual report to Congress on tunnel threat proliferation.

6. Doubles current funding for existing U.S. government tunnel detection efforts (the Army Corps of Engineers and the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office)