Made-in-America Defense Act
Summary
The Made-in-America Defense Act mandates a review of the FMS-Only List, which identifies defense articles and services that can only be transferred through the foreign military sales program. The goal is to determine if some of these items could be more efficiently transferred through direct commercial sales. This review must be conducted annually by the Secretary of State in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, with a report submitted to Congress detailing the findings.
Expected Effects
This act aims to expedite the delivery of defense articles and services to allies by potentially shifting some transfers from the government-managed FMS program to direct commercial sales. This could reduce delays and improve responsiveness to allies' needs. The review and reporting requirements will increase transparency and accountability in the arms transfer process.
Potential Benefits
- Faster delivery of defense articles and services to allies.
- Reduced workload for the Department of State and Department of Defense.
- Improved U.S. national security through stronger alliances.
- Enhanced U.S. competitiveness in the global arms market.
- Increased transparency and accountability in arms transfers.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for reduced government oversight of arms sales.
- Possible negative impact on small businesses that rely on the FMS program.
- Risk of increased arms proliferation if direct commercial sales are not properly regulated.
- Potential for unintended consequences due to changes in the arms transfer process.
- Increased administrative burden on the State Department and Department of Defense to conduct the annual review and reporting.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the constitutional power of Congress to provide for the common defense (Article I, Section 8). It also relates to the President's power to conduct foreign policy. The requirement for a report to Congress ensures legislative oversight of the executive branch's actions in this area.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).