To modify the expedited procedures in the House of Representatives under section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act with respect to consideration of joint resolutions prohibiting proposed sales of defense articles or services, prohibiting proposed licenses for exports of defense articles or services, and prohibiting approval of United States commercial technical assistance or manufacturing licensing agreements.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · August 25, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Arms Sale Oversight Act modifies the congressional procedures used to review and block U.S. military weapon sales to foreign countries. Currently, the Arms Export Control Act allows Congress to use expedited procedures to consider resolutions that would prohibit proposed arms sales, but those procedures impose tight time limits that can make it difficult for lawmakers to debate and vote on such measures. This bill streamlines the process by allowing members to discharge resolutions from committee if they have not been reported within 10 days, and it reduces debate time on the actual resolution to 10 hours instead of the existing procedures. The legislation applies to all joint resolutions introduced in the House or Senate after the bill is enacted and affects any future arms sales requiring congressional review. By making it easier for Congress to bring arms sale blocking resolutions to a vote, the bill aims to increase congressional oversight of military equipment and services sold abroad.
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