SCHNEIDER BILL TO ANCHOR EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY ADVANCES
Rep. Brad Schneider’s bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act passes House Foreign Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON -- The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, led by Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and joined by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-1), and Chris Pappas (NH-1), passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a 45-2 vote. The bipartisan legislation aims to bolster the Eastern Mediterranean’s role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
“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.”
“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, co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus. “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.”
“We must continue to make progress deepening the relationship between the United States and our allies in the East Mediterranean and beyond,” said Rep. Pappas, co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus.“This bipartisan legislation will strengthen our coordination with Greece, Cyprus, and other allies in regional security, energy, and infrastructure. I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen international cooperation to protect America's security interests.”
“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.”
“Supporting the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is crucial to securing American interests abroad," said Rep. Titus. “By investing in the Eastern Mediterranean and recognizing it as a critical part of IMEC, we will be strengthening our energy security and defense cooperation in the region.”
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.
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