Congress: 104 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel
Data (JSON) — machine-readable record of this bill (identifiers, sponsor, classification, actions, and the member-by-member vote breakdown).
Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for HR 1595.
Sponsor: Gingrich, Newt (R-GA)
Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Implementation Act of 1995 - Declares it is U.S. policy that: (1) Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel; and (2) construction of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem should begin no later than December 31, 1996, and officially open no later than May 31, 1999. States that not more than 50 percent of the funds appropriated for FY 1997 and 1999 to the Department of State for "Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad" may be obligated in the respective fiscal year until the Secretary of State determines, and reports to the Congress, that (for FY 1997) such construction has begun and that (for FY 1999) the Embassy has opened. Limits the availability of specified amounts of such funds in certain fiscal years until they are expended for: (1) costs associated with relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem; and (2) the costs for its construction. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on: (1) the Department of State's plan to implement this Act; and (2) progress made toward opening the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
Declares that U.S. policy recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital and requires the State Department to begin constructing a U.S. Embassy there by the end of 1996, with opening by May 1999. Withholds 50 percent of State Department building funds for fiscal years 1997 and 1999 until construction begins and the embassy opens, and dedicates specified appropriations solely for Jerusalem embassy relocation and construction costs.
This bill embeds into law a specific declaration that Jerusalem is Israel's capital and uses appropriations leverage to force embassy relocation. It represents a formal congressional shift in U.S. diplomatic recognition away from the previous position that Jerusalem's status should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians as part of a final settlement.