H.R. 9147: Abraham Accords Expansion Act of 2026

This legislation, titled the "Abraham Accords Expansion Act of 2026," seeks to modify the responsibilities of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, which are agreements aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Middle Eastern countries. Here are the main features of the bill:

Findings and Purpose

The bill outlines several key findings regarding the significance of the Abraham Accords, emphasizing:

• The Accords established a framework for establishing better relations between Israel and several countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Central Asia and the Caucasus have important shared interests with the goals of the Abraham Accords, particularly in areas like security and economic cooperation.
• Broadening normalization efforts to these regions would be beneficial for the national security and economic interests of the United States.
• Kazakhstan has already joined the Accords, serving as a leader in stability and cooperation in Central Asia.
• The Envoy should focus on expanding normalization initiatives to regions beyond the current framework, specifically naming Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Amendments to the Special Envoy's Duties

The bill proposes changes to the responsibilities and structure of the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords and related agreements:

• Geographical Focus Update: The language in the existing law will be amended to specify that the Envoy should include Central Asia and the Caucasus in their mandate, in addition to the Indo-Pacific region.
• Interagency Coordination: The Special Envoy is required to work alongside heads of various federal departments and agencies, including the Secretaries of Defense, Commerce, and Energy, to implement the objectives related to normalization.
• Utilization of Existing Resources: The Envoy is encouraged to use existing programs and authorities rather than seeking new funding for these initiatives.
• Deputy Special Envoy: The bill allows the Special Envoy to appoint a Deputy who can assist with these responsibilities, with a focus on regional expertise for the appointed individual.
• Definitions: The bill establishes formal definitions for "Caucasus" to include Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and for "Central Asia" to encompass Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Funding Provisions

Importantly, the bill states that no additional federal funds will be authorized for the implementation of these changes, indicating that the existing budget is expected to cover any necessary activities.

Expected Outcomes

Overall, the legislation aims to broaden U.S. diplomatic efforts in fostering relations among Israel, Arab nations, and other key regions, enhancing economic and security interests while utilizing existing resources for these tasks.

Relevant Companies

• BA (Boeing): An expanded focus on the Middle East and Central Asia could lead to more opportunities in defense and aerospace contracts.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies): With increased stability in the region, Raytheon might engage in defense and technology partnerships.
• HAL (Halliburton): Halliburton may benefit from increased investment in energy services as relations improve and infrastructure projects emerge in these regions.