Congress: 114 · 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 S 117.
Sponsor: Heller, Dean (R-NV)
Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2015 States that it is U.S. policy to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. Amends the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 to eliminate the President's authority to waive certain funding limitations for Department of State acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad until the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has officially opened. Requires any official U.S. document which lists countries and their capital cities to identify Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Limits appropriations that may be obligated in FY2015 for Department acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad until the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has officially opened. States that for each of FY2016-FY2017, of funds authorized to be appropriated for Department acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad, necessary sums should be made available until expended only for construction and other costs associated with the establishment in Jerusalem of the U.S. Embassy in Israel.
Declares it U.S. policy to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. Removes the president's power to delay embassy relocation and blocks funding for other State Department building projects abroad until a U.S. Embassy opens in Jerusalem. Requires all official U.S. documents listing country capitals to name Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Directs that fiscal years 2016-2017 appropriations for foreign building projects go exclusively to the Jerusalem embassy until it is built.
This bill locks in congressional recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and eliminates presidential flexibility to manage the timing and diplomatic consequences of embassy relocation. It subordinates all other State Department construction worldwide to the Jerusalem embassy project, raising the political and budgetary stakes of U.S. Middle East policy.
Data last synced: 2026-10-15.