(Washington DC) -- Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2011, legislation that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Israel to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jon Kyl (R-AZ) joined Senator Heller as co-sponsors.

 “Israel is one of our oldest and strongest allies. This legislation honors promises our nation made to Israel more than fifteen years ago to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. By simply enforcing laws that have been on the books for years, the United States sends a clear message to the international community that we will continue to support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign and peaceful democracy,” said Senator Heller. 

In 1995, Congress passed “The Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act,” which directed the State Department to recognize Jerusalem as the united and undivided capital of Israel by moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Heller’s bill withholds certain State Department funds until that relocation is complete.   

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