President Donald Trump announced today that “it is time” for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. Now Republican lawmakers are scrambling to lock in the directive as permanent US policy.

“We applaud the president for formally recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, an acknowledgment that enhances the national security of both Israel and the United States,” Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said in a statement. “At a time when Israel’s border is threatened by Iranian forces and their proxies in Lebanon and Syria, including by Hezbollah’s rockets, armed drones and newly discovered terror tunnels, this recognition will be great news for our ally and its right to self-defense.” 

They called on Congress to pass legislation that would formally “recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.” Identical bills in the Senate and House introduced by Cruz and Gallagher would also include the Golan Heights as part of Israel in any spending and trade bills while greenlighting joint scientific, industrial and agricultural projects in the occupied territory.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a lead co-sponsor of the Cruz bill, also urged Senate leadership to take up the legislation. The senator vowed to push Trump on the issue after a photo op with Netanyahu in the Golan Heights earlier this month.