Allied Defense Sales Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/8665
Last Updated: June 16, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

ID: Z000018

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

June 8, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

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1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Allied Defense Sales Act (HR 8665) claims to promote multinational procurement processes for foreign military sales and direct commercial sales. In other words, it's a bill designed to grease the wheels of the defense industry's gravy train, making it easier for the US to sell more weapons to its "allies" while pretending to care about national security.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy (read: marketing plan) to encourage foreign partners to participate in these multinational procurement processes. It also mandates regular reports to Congress on the strategy's implementation, because, you know, accountability is overrated. The real changes are subtle: this bill will further erode what little oversight remains in the arms export process, allowing for more "expedited license authorizations" and "sales other than for programs of record." Translation: more loopholes for defense contractors to exploit.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects benefit from this bill: defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.), their lobbyists, and the politicians who receive their campaign contributions. Foreign governments will also be thrilled to have easier access to US-made weapons, which they can use to... well, that's not really our problem, is it? The only stakeholders who won't benefit are the taxpayers, who'll foot the bill for these lucrative arms deals, and the civilians who might get caught in the crossfire.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill will accelerate the already-out-of-control US arms export industry, further destabilizing global hotspots and fueling conflicts. It's a classic case of "diagnosing" a problem (national security concerns) with a "treatment" that only exacerbates the symptoms (more weapons sales). The real disease here is the insatiable greed of the defense industry and its enablers in Congress, who prioritize profits over people and common sense.

In conclusion, HR 8665 is a textbook example of legislative malpractice. It's a cynical attempt to line the pockets of defense contractors while wrapping itself in the flag of national security. The fact that this bill has made it this far is a testament to the enduring power of money and influence in Washington. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this train wreck unfold.

Related Topics

Defense Spending & Procurement Foreign Aid & Diplomacy Trade & International Commerce
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$66,700
23 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$40,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$26,400

No PAC contributions found

1
CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD NATION
5 transactions
$8,100
2
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
3
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
4
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
1 transaction
$3,300
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$3,000
6
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$2,500
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$2,000
8
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
1 transaction
$2,000
9
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$2,000
10
RINCON DEL MAR RANCH
1 transaction
$1,000
11
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
1 transaction
$1,000
12
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000
13
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
14
NINTH ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION
1 transaction
$1,000
15
REHBERG RANCH
2 transactions
$1,000
16
BENCHMARK CONSULTING PLLC
1 transaction
$500
17
SANDRU RANCH
1 transaction
$500
18
SO-LO AIR
1 transaction
$250
19
WEISS RESEARCH
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
PUM, JANIS
1 transaction
$6,600
2
HART, DONNA
1 transaction
$6,600
3
TABISH, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
4
WHITWORTH, CONNIE
1 transaction
$6,600

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

ID: B001287

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$250
Nov 5, 2024
2
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$250
Oct 31, 2024
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Jun 30, 2024
4
DOERR, JOHN L. III
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2023
5
DOERR, JOHN L. III
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2023
6
DOERR, JOHN L. III
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2023
7
DOERR, JOHN L. III
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2023
8
DOERR, ANN HOWLAND
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
9
DOERR, ANN HOWLAND
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
10
DOERR, JOHN L. III
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN CARLOS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

ID: W000795

Top Contributors

10

1
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$2,000
May 6, 2024
2
LEVKOWITZ, HOWARD
SELF EMPLOYED INVESTOR
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$6,600
Nov 28, 2023
3
VICKAR, KERRY
LKV MANAGEMENT CHAIRMAN
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$5,000
Nov 21, 2023
4
LOWELL, RANDY R.
BURR FORMAN ATTORNEY
Individual ISLE OF PALMS, SC
$3,700
May 8, 2024
5
VALLARINO, MANUEL R.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE BEACH, SC
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
6
VALLARINO, MARY EMILY J.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE BEACH, SC
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
7
CASSELS, W. TOBIN III
SOUTHEASTERN FREIGHT LINES PRESIDENT
Individual COLUMBIA, SC
$3,300
Dec 1, 2023
8
CASSELS, W. TOBIN JR.
SOUTHEASTERN FREIGHT LINES CHAIRMAN & CEO
Individual COLUMBIA, SC
$3,300
Dec 1, 2023
9
HOEFER, JOHN M. S. ESQ.
WILLOUGHBY & HOEFER P.A. ATTORNEY
Individual COLUMBIA, SC
$3,300
Nov 8, 2023
10
LIEBERMAN, JEREMY A.
KLEE TUCHIN BOGDANOFF & STERN LLP ATTORNEY
Individual FLUSHING, NY
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023

Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]

ID: D000628

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Aug 19, 2024
2
SHOOTS, KYLE MR.
SYSTEM SERVICE & ENGINEERING INC PRESIDENT
Individual PANAMA CITY, FL
$10,000
Jun 18, 2024
3
CAMAISA, ALLAN
CALIDI BIO CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Individual RANCHO SANTA FE, CA
$6,600
Apr 12, 2023
4
PERGOLINI, WILLIAM
AUDIENTIS LLC PRESIDENT
Individual ROSWELL, GA
$5,000
Sep 2, 2023
5
PERGOLINI, WILLIAM
AUDIENTIS LLC PRESIDENT
Individual ROSWELL, GA
$5,000
Sep 2, 2023
6
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Jun 5, 2024
7
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
BLACKSTONE CEO AND CHAIRMAN
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$5,000
May 31, 2024
8
D'ISERNIA, MIRIAM A. MS
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL
$3,400
Sep 29, 2023
9
PERGOLINI, WILLIAM
Individual ROSWELL, GA
$3,400
Sep 29, 2023
10
SHOOTS, CHRISTINA MRS.
Individual PANAMA CITY, FL
$3,400
Jun 18, 2024

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

ID: L000599

Top Contributors

10

1
MURTAGH, COSSU, VENDITTI & CASTRO-BLANCO, LLP
Organization WHITE PLAINS, NY
$1,000
Feb 24, 2024
2
BATMASIAN, JAMES
INVESTMENTS LIMITED OWNER
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 27, 2023
3
BATMASIAN, JAMES
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
4
AUSTIN, ROBERT
UNAKA CO., INC. BUSINESSMAN
Individual DALLAS, TX
$6,600
Jul 18, 2024
5
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 15, 2024
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 22, 2024
7
SCALA, MARY ELLEN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual PORT CHESTER, NY
$5,300
Aug 27, 2023
8
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
SELF PRESIDENT
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 24, 2024
9
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 25, 2024
10
PERLMUTTER, RAFUEL
GOLDEN TASTE CEO
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,400
Jun 24, 2024

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

ID: K000397

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
3
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
4
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
5
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Jul 25, 2024
7
AT&T INC & ITS AFFLIATES
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$3,000
Mar 5, 2024
8
ABBVIE PAC - FEDERAL PAC
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$2,500
Sep 30, 2023
9
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$2,300
Oct 25, 2024
10
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Oct 28, 2024

Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

ID: F000484

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]

ID: F000459

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$2,500
Mar 28, 2023
4
BARKER FOR SHERIFF
Organization CLINTON, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
5
CARBON RIVERS, INC.
Organization KNOXVILLE, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
6
HIGGINS, KENNETH
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MCDONALD, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
7
HIGGINS, PHILIP
FIDEM ENERGY CO CEO
Individual CLEVELAND, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
JOHNSTON, BENJAMIN
FIDEM ENERGY PRESIDENT
Individual LOOKOUT MTN, GA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
9
JONES, JOHN BAILEY
NONE STUDENT
Individual CLEVELAND, TN
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
10
RICHARDS, CHRISTINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual BARLETT, TN
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

ID: T000478

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED EARMARKS
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$27,879
Oct 22, 2024
2
WINRED EARMARKS
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$21,566
Oct 29, 2024
3
WINRED EARMARKS
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$10,970
Nov 25, 2024
4
WINRED EARMARKS
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$5,493
Nov 19, 2024
5
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Nov 5, 2024
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$2,000
Jun 18, 2024
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Jun 18, 2024
8
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Mar 31, 2023
9
TEXTOR, DONALD
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual LOCUST VALLEY, NY
$13,200
Apr 17, 2024
10
WINE, SCOTT
POLARIS CEO
Individual EXCELSIOR, MN
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 42 nodes and 45 connections

Total contributions: $126,800

Top Donors - Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount

19 Orgs4 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • +Defense Contractors confidence 0.90

    Section 2(a)(6) details benefits of multinational procurement processes to national security interest, including strengthening the domestic industrial base, and Section 2(a)(7) identifies opportunities to develop and promote exportable defense articles and services, including for AUKUS partnership, which directly benefits defense contractors.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]) received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 18contributions
    • STERLING, CORD$1,500
    • BERRY, KEN$135
    • GRAVANCE, ELISE$100
    • BANGERT, LOUIS$60

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document. AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Introduction

Strong
Vector: 63%
Pages: 134-136 AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Allied Defense Sales Act aligns with Project 2025's objectives by promoting multinational participation in foreign military sales and direct commercial sales, which supports the policy's goals of enhancing military interoperability and strengthening the domestic industrial base. The bill's focus on strategy development and regular reporting also complements Project 2025's emphasis on reforming the FMS process and minimizing barriers to collaboration."

Key themes: foreign military sales defense industrial base multinational cooperation exportability military interoperability

— 101 — Department of Defense 1. Ensure that senior U.S. military leadership emphasizes exportability in the initial development of defense systems that are both available and interoperable with our partners and allies. 2. Create a funding mechanism to incentivize exportability in initial planning, which can be recouped after future FMS transactions. l End informal congressional notification. Informal congressional notification or “tiered review” is a hinderance to ensuring timely sales to our global partners. The tiered review process is not codified in law; it is merely a practice by which the Department of State provides a preview of prospective arms transfers before Congress is formally notified.9 1. End the tiered review process to eliminate at least 20 days from the FMS process. 2. Use the tiered review process only when unanimous congressional support is guaranteed in order to eliminate the “weaponization” by select Members of Congress that has prevented billions of dollars of arms sales from moving into formal congressional notification. l Minimize barriers to collaboration. The high cost of developing advanced defense platforms requires the United States to collaborate with key allies to minimize waste, complement strengths, and supplement our defense industrial base to create a system that is greater than that of the United States alone. 1. Enhance defense industrial base planning with partners to allow them to focus on niche areas where there are cost advantages for the United States. 2. Decrease International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to facilitate trade with such allies as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. 3. Create opportunities to improve the health of the defense supply chain with added opportunities for partners and allies to contribute. l Reform the FMS contracting process. The contracting timeline for the FMS process is shockingly slow. On average, the DOD contracting timeline takes approximately 18 months because of slow bureaucratic processes and chronic understaffing.10

Introduction

Strong
Vector: 63%
Pages: 134-136 AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Allied Defense Sales Act aligns with Project 2025's objectives to enhance military interoperability, promote exportable defense articles and services, and reform the Foreign Military Sales process, demonstrating significant overlap in objectives. The bill's focus on encouraging foreign partners to participate in multinational procurement processes supports Project 2025's goal of minimizing barriers to collaboration."

Key themes: military interoperability exportable defense articles Foreign Military Sales reform multinational procurement

— 101 — Department of Defense 1. Ensure that senior U.S. military leadership emphasizes exportability in the initial development of defense systems that are both available and interoperable with our partners and allies. 2. Create a funding mechanism to incentivize exportability in initial planning, which can be recouped after future FMS transactions. l End informal congressional notification. Informal congressional notification or “tiered review” is a hinderance to ensuring timely sales to our global partners. The tiered review process is not codified in law; it is merely a practice by which the Department of State provides a preview of prospective arms transfers before Congress is formally notified.9 1. End the tiered review process to eliminate at least 20 days from the FMS process. 2. Use the tiered review process only when unanimous congressional support is guaranteed in order to eliminate the “weaponization” by select Members of Congress that has prevented billions of dollars of arms sales from moving into formal congressional notification. l Minimize barriers to collaboration. The high cost of developing advanced defense platforms requires the United States to collaborate with key allies to minimize waste, complement strengths, and supplement our defense industrial base to create a system that is greater than that of the United States alone. 1. Enhance defense industrial base planning with partners to allow them to focus on niche areas where there are cost advantages for the United States. 2. Decrease International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to facilitate trade with such allies as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. 3. Create opportunities to improve the health of the defense supply chain with added opportunities for partners and allies to contribute. l Reform the FMS contracting process. The contracting timeline for the FMS process is shockingly slow. On average, the DOD contracting timeline takes approximately 18 months because of slow bureaucratic processes and chronic understaffing.10 — 102 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 1. Immediately fund more contracting capacity in all services to decrease the contracting timeline and improve the delivery of defense articles to our global partners. 2. Rationalize and speed arms sales decision-making to preclude our enemies from exploiting bureaucratic slothfulness and allow us to manage the development of indigenous defense industrial bases. DOD PERSONNEL The men and women of America’s armed forces are the most critical component of our national defense strategy, but in recent years, they have been overextended, undervalued, and insufficiently resourced. Their families help them to carry the burden of service, but the assistance they receive is disproportionately less than the sacrifices they make. Young civilians who would thrive in a military environ- ment are disenfranchised when educators and influencers discourage them from learning about military service and preparing for the honor of wearing Ameri- ca’s uniform. The United States military is an extraordinary institution, staffed by exceptional people who have defended our nation and changed the course of history, but the Biden Administration, through word and deed, has treated the armed forces as just another place to work. We must restore our military to a place of honor and respect and recruit and retain the individuals who will meet the rigorous standards of excellence that are required for membership in the world’s greatest fighting force. Needed Reforms l Rescue recruiting and retention. Recruiting was the worst in 2022 that it has been in two generations and is expected to be even worse in 2023. Some of the problems are self-inflicted and ongoing. The recruiting problem is not service-specific: It affects the entire Joint Force. 1. Appoint a Special Assistant to the President who will maintain liaison with Congress, DOD, and all other interested parties on the issue of recruiting and retention. 2. Improve recruiting by suspending the use of the recently introduced MHS Genesis system that uses private medical records of potential recruits at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), creating unnecessary delays and unwarranted rejections.11 3. Improve military recruiters’ access to secondary schools and require completion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text

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