HR 6829: EMPIL–DOC Act

Congress: 116 · 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 6829.

Sponsor: Pappas, Chris (D-New Hampshire)

Summary

Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.

Editorial Explainer

This bill creates a joint US-Israel grant program to develop health technologies, particularly for COVID-19 treatment and diagnosis. The technologies include artificial intelligence systems, respiratory devices, and diagnostic tests. Israel must match US funding dollar-for-dollar to participate.

Why it matters

This establishes a new direct funding stream to Israel outside traditional military aid, framed around medical innovation and reducing US reliance on Chinese manufacturing. It signals congressional support for deepening US-Israel technological partnerships in the health sector.

Cosponsors (242)