January 22, 2026 | Endorsements

H.R. 7178, U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026

January 22, 2026 Endorsements

H.R. 7178, U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026

Bottom Line Up Front

H.R. 7178, the U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026, significantly strengthens cooperation between the United States and Israel to counter the rapidly evolving threat posed by Iran and its proxies’ unmanned systems across air, sea, and land domains. The bill expands the scope of existing counter-drone cooperation beyond aerial threats to include all unmanned systems, increases authorized funding to $100 million, enhances intelligence sharing and joint training, and requires annual reports to Congress assessing progress and future needs.

Bill Number H.R. 7178
Bill Name U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026
Summary Strengthens U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned systems across all warfighting domains, increases funding to $100 million, and enhances intelligence sharing.
Chamber House
Lead Sponsor Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Co-Lead Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)
Original Cosponsors Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY)
Date Introduced 01/21/2026

Click here to read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors.

Why It Matters

  • Iran and its terrorist proxies have weaponized unmanned systems—from aerial drones to maritime and ground-based platforms—to target Israeli civilians, U.S. service members, critical infrastructure, and international shipping across the Middle East and beyond. This bill ensures America and Israel stay ahead of these rapidly evolving threats through enhanced cooperation and increased resources.
  • Iran’s drones have been deployed in major attacks, including the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist assault on Israel that killed over 1,200 people including at least 30 Americans, Iran’s 2024 and 2025 direct strikes on Israel, repeated attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and assaults on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure. The threat is real, growing, and demands an urgent response.
  • By expanding authorized funding from $55 million to $100 million and broadening the scope beyond aerial drones to all unmanned systems across air, sea, and land, this legislation provides the resources and flexibility needed to develop next-generation counter-drone technologies and deploy them rapidly to protect American troops and allies.
  • The bill leverages the U.S.-Israel Operations Technology Working Group as the central hub for counter-drone efforts and requires annual congressional reports on progress, threats, and future needs—ensuring accountability, transparency, and continuous adaptation to meet emerging challenges from Iran’s expanding unmanned warfare capabilities.

“The U.S. and Israel face growing threats from unmanned aerial systems that are capable of overwhelming traditional air defense technologies. U.S. and Israeli partnerships in counter-missile and drone innovations have proven essential as Iran, Russia, Turkey, and terror groups have used drones to target U.S. military personnel, civilians, and critical infrastructure. The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act would boost existing cooperation and help build out new capabilities to meet the evolving threats the U.S. and Israel face globally. We commend Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Andrew Garbarino for their dedicated bipartisan work to meet this challenge head on.”

Tyler Stapleton

Senior Director of Government Relations, FDD Action

Congressional Press Releases

Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:

Issues:

Iran Israel