H.R. 8445 (118th Congress)
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| Long title | To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the eligibility of United States citizens who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces for certain protections relating to such service. |
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| Legislative history | |
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H.R. 8445 was a proposed Act of Congress introduced in 2024 by representatives Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Max Miller (R-OH) that would amend federal law to "provide for the eligibility of United States citizens who serve in the Israel Defense Forces for certain protections relating to such service."[1][2][3]
In their official statement, Reschenthaler and Miller wrote that the Act would "extend the benefits of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) to American citizens serving in the Israel Defense Forces."[4]
Background
As of February 2024, 23,380 American citizens were serving in the Israeli Army, many of them settlers in Israel, with some reservists living in the United States having been called to fight in the Gaza War.[5][6]
Legislative history
H.R. 8445 was introduced in May 2024.[7] It was subsequently referred to the Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee in July 2024.[7]
Reaction
Responsible Statecraft wrote that the Act would treat Americans serving in the Israel Defense Forces "In other words, no different than U.S. National Guardsman or Reservists, they are just fighting for another country."[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14 (2024-07-17). "H.R.8445 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the eligibility of United States citizens who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces for certain protections relating to such service". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Fuller, Haley (2026-04-23). "The Emerging Push to Extend Some US Benefits to IDF Soldiers". Military.com. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
- ↑ Eaton, Sabrina (2024-05-22). "Rep. Max Miller wants to extend some U.S. service member protections to Americans in Israel's defense forces". cleveland. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
- ↑ "Reschenthaler, Miller Introduce Legislation to Support American Citizens Fighting in Israel | U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler". reschenthaler.house.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
- ↑ Hendrix, Steve; Rubin, Shira (2024-02-22). "The American citizens fighting and dying for Israel in the Gaza war". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
- ↑ "Israeli reservists in US leave behind proud, worried families". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
- 1 2 "Fact Check: Benefits for soldiers serving in Israeli military not included in US spending bill". Reuters. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ↑ "GOP reps want same benefits for Americans serving in Israel army | Responsible Statecraft". responsiblestatecraft.org. Retrieved 2026-04-27.