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H.R. 7987House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

DEFEND Act of 2022

Sponsored by Cathy McMorris RodgersRep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Introduced June 8, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:52 PM UTC

The DEFEND Act of 2022 directs the Secretary of Defense to work with Middle‑East allies and partners to design and acquire an integrated air and missile defense system that would protect those nations from missiles, drones, and rockets launched by Iran or its proxies. It applies to Gulf Cooperation Council members, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and any other regional partners the Secretary identifies.

Key Provisions

  • Require the Secretary of Defense to cooperate with Middle‑East allies to identify a defense architecture and develop an acquisition approach for the listed countries.
  • Within 180 days, submit an unclassified strategy (with a possible classified annex) to congressional defense committees covering threat assessments, coordination, system descriptions, integration benefits, partner engagement, acquisition responsibilities, challenges, metrics, and recommendations.
  • Conduct a feasibility study, also within 180 days, on establishing a fund for the integrated defense system and report findings, including potential contributions from the United States and partner nations.
  • Identify metrics to measure progress on the strategy and ensure protection of sensitive information during the process.
  • Define “congressional defense committees” according to existing law.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism.

Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee

June 8, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 8, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

June 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism.

Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee

June 8, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 8, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7987

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 8, 2022

Mrs. Rodgers of Washington (for herself, Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Trone, Mr. Bacon, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Defense to seek cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East to identify an architecture and develop an acquisition approach for certain countries in the Middle East to implement an integrated air and missile defense capability to protect the people, infrastructure, and territory of such countries from cruise and ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses Act of 2022 or the DEFEND Act of 2022.

2.

Middle East integrated air and missile defense

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall seek to cooperate with allies and partners in the Middle East to identify an architecture and develop an acquisition approach for the countries specified in subsection (b) to implement an integrated air and missile defense capability to protect the people, infrastructure, and territory of such countries from cruise and ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran and groups linked to Iran.

(b)

Countries specified

The countries specified in this subsection are as follows:

(1)

Countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

(2)

Iraq.

(3)

Israel.

(4)

Jordan.

(5)

Egypt.

(6)

Such other regional allies or partners of the United States as the Secretary may identify.

(c)

Strategy

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a strategy on cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East to identify an architecture and develop an acquisition approach for the countries specified in subsection (b) to implement an integrated air and missile defense capability to protect the people, infrastructure, and territory of such countries from cruise and ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran and groups linked to Iran.

(2)

Contents

The strategy submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A)

An assessment of the threat of ballistic and cruise missiles, manned and unnamed aerial systems, and rocket attacks from Iran and groups linked to Iran to the countries specified in subsection (b).

(B)

A description of current efforts to coordinate indicators and warnings from such attacks with the countries specified in subsection (b).

(C)

A description of current systems to defend against attacks in coordination with the countries specified in subsection (b).

(D)

An explanation of how an integrated air and missile defense architecture would improve collective security in the region covered by the countries specified in subsection (b).

(E)

A description of efforts to engage specified foreign partners in establishing such an architecture.

(F)

An identification of elements of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that—

(i)

can be acquired and operated by specified foreign partners; and

(ii)

can only be provided and operated by members of the Armed Forces.

(G)

An identification of any challenges in establishing an integrated air and missile defense architecture with specified foreign partners.

(H)

An assessment of progress, and key challenges, in the implementation of the strategy using such metrics identified under paragraph (4).

(I)

Recommendations for improvements in the implementation of the strategy based on the metrics identified under paragraph (4).

(J)

Such other matters as the Secretary considers relevant.

(3)

Protection of sensitive information

Any activity carried out under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in a manner that appropriately protects sensitive information and the national security interests of the United States.

(4)

Metrics

The Secretary shall identify metrics to assess progress in the implementation of the strategy required in paragraph (1).

(5)

Format

The strategy submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(d)

Feasibility study

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this act, the Secretary of Defense shall—

(A)

complete a study on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a fund for an integrated air and missile defense system to counter the threats from cruise and ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aerial systems, and rocket attacks for the countries specified in subsection (b) from Iran and groups linked with Iran; and

(B)

submit to the congressional defense committees the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study completed under subparagraph (A).

(2)

Assessment of contributions

The study completed under paragraph (1)(A) shall include an assessment of funds that could be contributed by allies and of the United States and countries that are partners with the United States.

(e)

Congressional defense committees defined

In this section, the term congressional defense committees has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.