Sponsors (6)
The bill speeds allied access to defense articles and helps exporters by moving some items toward faster commercial sales and increasing reporting, but it does so by shifting control from government channels to commercial ones, raising oversight, security, transparency, and potential cost risks.
U.S. allies and partner militaries would receive defense articles faster through expanded Direct Commercial Sales, improving partner readiness and strengthening U.S. security cooperation.
U.S. defense exporters (including small and mid-size firms) would gain faster access to foreign buyers for items moved off the FMS‑Only list, potentially boosting sales and competitiveness.
Federal agencies would be able to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and better allocate resources through periodic review of the FMS‑Only list and annual workload assessments, helping to speed non‑sensitive commercial transfers and reduce bottlenecks.
Foreign recipients and the public could face increased risks of proliferation or misuse because faster DCS transfers and shifting items off the FMS list may reduce government oversight of sensitive transfers.
Federal agencies, Congress, and the public could lose control and visibility over some arms transfers as shifting sales to commercial channels reduces DoD/State control and some details may remain in classified annexes, complicating accountability and oversight.
U.S. buyers and taxpayers could face higher costs and weaker end‑use monitoring because greater reliance on DCS may strengthen contractors' bargaining power and reduce government leverage over pricing and conditions.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires State (with Defense) to review annually which FMS-only items could be sold via Direct Commercial Sales and report transfer times, causes of delay, and list changes to Congress.
Requires the Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of Defense, to review items currently limited to the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and determine whether some should also be eligible for Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The first review must be completed within one year of enactment and then repeated annually; each review must compare average transfer times, assess workload impacts and national security/competitiveness effects, and produce an unclassified report (with optional classified annex) to specified congressional committees listing any changes and the reasons for them.
Introduced June 27, 2025 by Sheri Biggs · Last progress September 3, 2025