BILIRAKIS BILL TO ANCHOR EASTERN MEDITARRANEAN IN US FOREIGN POLICY ADVANCES

WASHINGTON: The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, led by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and joined by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-1) and Chris Pappas (NH-1), passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bipartisan legislation aims to bolster the Eastern Mediterranean's role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East, and Europe.

"Supporting a U.S.-India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is vital to enhancing energy security, economic integration, and regional cooperation," said Rep. Bilirakis. "I am pleased this legislation has passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, advancing a strategic initiative that will diversify energy routes, strengthen global supply chains, and promote efficient trade and investment. IMEC also provides a transparent and sustainable alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, reinforcing U.S. partnerships and regional stability."

"The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a central hub for energy and infrastructure connecting Europe, the Middle East, and India," said Rep. Schneider. "This bipartisan bill ensures U.S. diplomacy keeps pace with that transformation, strengthening our partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt and supporting efforts like the U.S.-India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that deepen regional integration. Thank you to Foreign Affairs Chair Mast and Ranking Member Meeks for allowing consideration of this legislation and to my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee for their broad support. I'm hopeful the full House will soon have an opportunity to advance this bill that will shore up global energy supply chains and bolster defense cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean."

"I am pleased to see our bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act advance out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee," said Rep. Malliotakis. "This legislation reinforces America's partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, strengthening cooperation on energy security, economic connectivity, and long-term strategic coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean."

The bill reinforces U.S. support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and regional initiatives including the 3+1 dialogue with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus and the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. It calls for:

• Elevating the Eastern Mediterranean in U.S. foreign policy;
• Institutionalizing strategic dialogues with IMEC and regional partners;
• Supporting cross-border infrastructure projects and energy interconnectors;
• Studying the expansion of U.S.-Israel innovation programs to the broader region;
• Evaluating multilateral models like Cyprus's CYCLOPS center for regional coordination.

The legislation builds on bipartisan support for deeper regional integration, grounded in shared interests in energy security, economic connectivity, and long-term strategic coordination.

Bill text is available here.