During a House Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced an amendment which would streamline weapons sales. He was joined by his democratic colleagues who supported it as well.
00:03Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 4215, the International Traffic and Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act.
00:10The bill was circulated in advance, and the clerk shall designate the bill.
00:15H.R. 4215, to require the Secretary of State to promulgate, expedited, and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the...
00:24Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with, and the bill is considered red and open to amendment at any point.
00:29And I will now recognize myself in support of this bill.
00:33America's foreign defense sales programs are known for slow timelines and an opaque process, unfortunately.
00:41There is often little clarity about how different foreign partners are prioritized,
00:46which can lead to frustration and confusion from allies as they seek to procure U.S.-origin defense articles.
00:53The inefficiency forces our partners to consider turning to other countries to source their capabilities.
00:59The direct commercial sales process presents a quicker, more straightforward pathway for our allies and partners to purchase U.S. technology.
01:09The U.S. authorized over $200 billion in DCS sales in FY 2024, a significant increase from 2023,
01:16and over $80 billion more than FMS sales.
01:20These numbers show that DCS is the future of arms sales process.
01:24But more needs to be done to streamline DCS to ensure the U.S. can remain the partner of choice for foreign-origin defense technology.
01:33Mr. Baumgartner's legislation would codify President Trump's April 4 executive order
01:37to establish a list of priority partners for certain defense sales and would create a time-bound process for approving DCS cases.
01:46This will increase speed and efficiency in the DCS process and ensure our partners and allies are able to continue procuring U.S.-origin defense equipment in a timely manner.
01:56Do any other members seek recognition?
02:02Ranking Member Meeks.
02:04Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
02:07H.R. 4215 seeks to improve the processing of direct commercial sales of defense articles to our allies and partners.
02:15And while I have disagreements with the Trump administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle
02:22regarding how the United States should pursue and better administer security assistance as only one component of our foreign policy,
02:31I do agree Congress should take the steps to support our allies and partners getting defense articles they need in a timely manner.
02:40This bill will institute clearer time frames for the licensing decisions made by the State Department
02:47for direct sales of defense items by private firms to foreign buyers.
02:53While large systems like aircrafts, ships, tanks, and missiles are principally provided via the foreign military sales or FMS process,
03:03a number of important items such as small arms, vehicles, radars, and other equipment are transferred via direct commercial sales.
03:14These items are often vital to our partners and allies to replenish their military stocks and defensive capabilities.
03:22While the vast majority of such proposals for export sales are processed and licensed in the expeditious manner,
03:28foreign partners often seek greater speed and clarity regarding the process.
03:35This bill simply institutes reasonable time frames of up to 60 days for a licensing decision to be made.
03:43This does not preordain an outcome.
03:46The State Department can still either return such licenses for adjustment or modification
03:50or reject the requested license outright.
03:54These are options available now and will still be under this bill.
04:01Importantly, the bill also does not alter or undermine congressional oversight over direct commercial sales.
04:09While I have numerous concerns with other areas of arms sales and security assistance policies of this administration,
04:15including President Trump's executive order on arms sales,
04:19I support efforts to provide our allies and partners with improved timeliness and processing for defense articles
04:27they need for our shared national security goals.
04:32And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
04:35Ranking Member Yields.
04:36Representative Self is recognized.
04:38Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
04:39I certainly applaud the efforts of my colleague, Mr. Baumgartner,
04:43and I certainly support this bill,
04:45but this is only one of many actions we need to take for the U.S. industrial base
04:51and the European industrial base
04:53because we have, for instance, to Mr. Meek's point,
04:58we're adding a factory simply for 155 artillery rounds
05:02and there is a search around the world for them.
05:04So while I applaud this bill,
05:06we've got a lot of work to do in Congress to encourage and support the defense industrial base.
05:11And with that, I ask my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back.
05:16Representative Yields, any other members seek recognition?
05:19Representative Baumgartner.
05:22Well, thank you, Mr. Chair.
05:24I think this is one of the most important bills that will be considered in the 119th Congress.
05:31America today faces a more complex security environment than any time since World War II.
05:37One need only look at imperialist China, militant Russia, Iran supporting terrorist actors across the globe,
05:47and North Korea rattling its nuclear saber, transnational terrorist groups, drug traffickers.
05:54It is a dangerous, dangerous world out there.
05:56And increasing the amount of American foreign military sales not only helps our allies help us deal with these challenges,
06:05it also helps us create new allies and allies that are better integrated into our military apparatus
06:11when and if we do need to take action.
06:14It also is tremendously important to our economic growth and a real opportunity.
06:20Unfortunately, today, our military sales process is mired in red tape and bureaucracy and is stuck in the mud.
06:30Fortunately, this bill is an important part of the solution.
06:35HR 4215, the International Traffic and Arms Regulation Licensing Reform Act,
06:41is a bill aimed at cutting through the bureaucracy and red tape
06:45that slows down our ability to support key security partners around the world.
06:48Our current arms export licensing system is based on outdated Cold War-era rules
06:54and is far too slow, far too opaque, and far too risk-adverse
06:58to address the complex threats our nation faces today.
07:02Right now, each license application for direct commercial sales is reviewed on a case-by-case basis
07:08without priority, again, without priority, or expedited consideration for American allies.
07:15This approach creates unnecessary delays and can inadvertently hinder U.S. national security interests.
07:22We must prioritize these sales in a strategic fashion.
07:26And our partners cannot afford to wait years for approval, and they shouldn't have to.
07:30My bill would address this very issue by setting strict timelines for licensing decisions and prioritizing applications
07:37that involve key partners and allies, all while strengthening our defense industrial base,
07:43an issue which Congressman Self just spoke very eloquently to.
07:47I want to especially thank Congressman Zinke for his leadership and for our arms sales task force for driving this bill forward.
07:57It demonstrates to our allies that the United States will have their back,
08:01not just in the world, but in, not just in word, but in action.
08:05Let's make America and the world safer, and let's make our economy stronger.
08:10I urge my colleagues to support HR 4215 and support this critical step towards a faster, more reliable arms sale transfer process.
08:19Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I yield back.
08:21Is there any further discussion?
08:23There being no further discussion of the bill, the committee will move to consideration of amendments.
08:27Does any member wish to offer an amendment?
08:30There being no amendments, I move that the committee report HR 4215 to the House with a favorable recommendation.
08:35All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
08:38Aye.
08:39All those opposed, signify by saying no.
08:42In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it, and the motion is agreed to.
08:46Mr. Chair, I request a roll call vote.
08:48A recorded vote.
08:50A roll call vote has been requested, pursuant to the Chair's previous announcement.
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