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S 4443

Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Banks and 5 co-sponsors

The act aims to boost energy security and regional defense by strengthening US-led, multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean as a hub for IMEC connectivity.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4443

Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act (S. 4443)

Purpose and overall aim

  • Introduces the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act to strengthen cooperation with Eastern Mediterranean countries to bolster energy security and defense capabilities, with the broader goal of supporting the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
  • Seeks to position the Eastern Mediterranean region as a strategic connectivity hub linking Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 3 – Findings:

    • Recognizes IMEC as a key connectivity initiative launched in 2023, offering an alternative to China’s Belt and Road.
    • Highlights the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean (countries including Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Israel) for US security and regional stability.
    • Identifies regional energy projects (e.g., Great Sea Interconnector, Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector, LNG terminals) as critical infrastructure for European energy security and as potential backbones for IMEC.
    • Emphasizes the importance of defense cooperation, education, and cultural exchanges with Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and Egypt.
    • Cites Presidential Determination 2025-03 on arming Cyprus as supportive of US security and world peace.
    • Refers to Israel normalization policy and its relevance to broader regional integration.

  • Section 4 – Sense of Congress:

    • Affirms the importance of Greece-Cyprus-Israel-US (3+1) and Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum efforts; US should sustain leadership.
    • Encourages continued US participation in East Med energy and security initiatives.
    • Calls for recognition of the Eastern Mediterranean as a key gateway linking three continents and supporting energy/transport infrastructure and defense cooperation.
    • Supports resuming the 3+1 meetings and aligning with the Israel Relations Normalization Act’s objectives to promote regional connectivity.

  • Section 5 – Diplomacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region:

    • Authorizes the Secretary of State to institutionalize multilateral strategic dialogues with IMEC countries, including dedicated formats with Eastern Mediterranean states.
    • Requires prioritization of the Eastern Mediterranean region in US foreign policy, with a focus on energy security and defense cooperation.

  • Section 6 – Reports and Studies:

    • Annual reporting (starting one year after enactment) by the Secretary of Energy (in coordination with the Secretary of State) on implementation, energy projects, and defense cooperation under the Act.
    • Within one year, the Secretary of State must brief on multilateral initiatives with IMEC partners.
    • Studies on the Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security as a potential model for multilateral cooperation.
    • A study (within one year) on creating bilateral programs with Eastern Mediterranean countries modeled on US-Israel programs (e.g., BARD-Fund, BIRF, BSF, BSOSTF) and expanding these to other IMEC countries, including cost, steps, and feasibility.

  • Section 7 – Definitions:

    • clarifies key terms:
    • “Appropriate congressional committees”: Senate Energy, Senate Foreign Relations; House Energy, House Foreign Affairs.
    • “Eastern Mediterranean country”: Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Israel.
    • “IMEC country”: includes EU members, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, UAE, the United States, and other countries designated by the Secretary of State.

Who/commercial entities would be affected

  • U.S. executive agencies: Secretary of State and Secretary of Energy would take leading roles in diplomacy, energy security initiatives, and reporting.
  • Eastern Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Israel) as focal partners for enhanced energy infrastructure, security cooperation, and multilateral dialogues.
  • IMEC partner nations (as defined in the Act) could participate in expanded bilateral and multilateral programs and projects modeled after U.S.-Israel frameworks.
  • Congressional committees (Senate Foreign Relations, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, House Foreign Affairs, House Energy and Commerce) would receive regular reporting and briefings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment triggers annual implementation reporting by the Department of Energy and coordinated State Department reporting.
  • Initial multilateral dialogues and prioritization measures would be established through Secretary of State actions, potentially institutionalizing new formats.
  • Within one year of enactment:
    • Bipartite and multilateral initiatives briefing.
    • Feasibility studies on program expansion and cost.
    • Analysis of the Cyprus Centre model for broader use.
  • Ongoing: annual reports describing progress on energy projects and defense cooperation under the Act.

Sponsors and co-sponsors

  • Main sponsor: Senator Todd Young (implied by text structure; actual sponsor listed includes Mr. Booker as introducer with co-sponsors).
  • Co-sponsors include Jacky Rosen, Kevin Cramer, Jim Banks, Adam Schiff, Dave McCormick, and Cory Booker.

(Note: The bill emphasizes energy security, regional connectivity, and multilateral diplomacy as core tools to advance the IMEC corridor and US strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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