Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr4215 · built from our database

Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)

International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act

H.R. 4215 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 4215119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 06/27/2025REP. BAUMGARTNERR-WA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: DW-NOMINATE +0.58 (Sponsor Ranking)RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

7 members · Left 0 · Center 1 · Right 6 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Baumgartner, Michael (R-WA) (Introduced 06/27/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordRight · DW-NOMINATE +0.58 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 7 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Foreign Relations Committee; House - Foreign Affairs Committee; House - Foreign Affairs Committee
Latest Action09/03/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (06/27/2025)

International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act

This bill requires the Department of State to establish deadlines for the review of applications to export defense articles or services. 

Specifically, the State Department must develop and maintain a list of countries and end users with respect to which expedited decision-making on applications to export defense articles and services is vital to U.S. national security. The State Department must submit this list to Congress annually.

Following publication of the list, the State Department, in coordination with the Department of Defense, must initiate a rulemaking process to establish timelines for decision-making with respect to (1) applications to export defense articles and services to countries or end users identified in the list, and (2) all other applications to export defense articles and services. 

To the maximum extent practicable, applications for export to listed countries or end users must be acted on within 45 days of submission, and applications for export to other countries or end users must be acted on within 60 days of submission. These deadlines may be suspended under specified circumstances. 

Finally, the State Department must submit a semiannual report to Congress identifying each application to export defense articles or services during the preceding 180 days that was not acted upon by the applicable deadline.

Text (3)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 4215 EH: International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 4215

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act.

2.List of countries and end-users to receive priority for direct commercial sales (a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and maintain a list of countries and end-users with respect to which expedited decision-making for applications for licenses for the export of defense articles and defense services is vital to the national security of the United States, consistent with the requirements of the Arms Export Control Act and other applicable provisions of law. (b)Submission to CongressNot later than 30 days after the development of the list required by subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an updated copy of the list.

3.Decision-making process for applications for direct commercial salesNot later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of State publishes the list required by section 2, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall initiate a rulemaking process to establish an expedited timeline for the decision-making process with respect to applications to export defense articles or defense services under the Arms Export Control Act to countries or end-users identified by such list and a fixed timeline for decisions for all other applications for such exports. The timelines so established shall provide that, to the maximum extent practicable— (1)an application to export defense articles or defense services to a listed country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 45 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary; (2)an application to export defense articles or defense services to any country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 60 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary; and (3)the deadlines described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be suspended with respect to an application if necessary— (A)for applicable time periods specified in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 36 of such Act, during which Congress may enact a joint resolution prohibiting the approval of such application; or (B)for such time as may be required to receive a decision from the Secretary of Defense with respect to an application that is subject to approval by the Department of Defense, including technology security and foreign disclosure release determinations.

4.Reports (a)In generalThe Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on a semi-annual basis a report, which may be submitted in classified form, that identifies each application to export defense articles or defense services during the preceding 180-day period with respect to which the time to reach a decision exceeded the applicable deadline described in section 3(1) or 3(2). (b)Matter To be includedThe report required by this section shall also include the following information with respect to each application so identified: (1)The defense articles or defense services included in the application. (2)The recipient country, end-user, and any corporate entities involved in the application. (3)Whether the United States has previously exported similar defense articles or defense services to the recipient country or end-user. (4)A justification for the delay in reaching a decision with respect to the application. (5)The anticipated timeline for reaching a decision with respect to the application, if still pending as of the date of the submission of the report. Passed the House of Representatives September 2, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 4215 IH: International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4215IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 27, 2025Mr. Baumgartner (for himself, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Lawler, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Moylan, and Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act.2.List of countries and end-users to receive priority for direct commercial sales(a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and maintain a list of countries and end-users with respect to which expedited decision-making for applications for licenses for the export of defense articles and defense services is vital to the national security of the United States, consistent with the requirements of the Arms Export Control Act and other applicable provisions of law.(b)Submission to CongressNot later than 30 days after the development of the list required by subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an updated copy of the list.3.Decision-making process for applications for direct commercial salesNot later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of State publishes the list required by section 2, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall initiate a rulemaking process to establish an expedited timeline for the decision-making process with respect to applications to export defense articles or defense services under the Arms Export Control Act to countries or end-users identified by such list and a fixed timeline for decisions for all other applications for such exports. The timelines so established shall provide that, to the maximum extent practicable—(1)an application to export defense articles or defense services to a listed country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 45 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary;(2)an application to export defense articles or defense services to any country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 60 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary; and(3)the deadlines described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be suspended with respect to an application if necessary—(A)for applicable time periods specified in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 36 of such Act, during which Congress may enact a joint resolution prohibiting the approval of such application; or(B)for such time as may be required to receive a decision from the Secretary of Defense with respect to an application that is subject to approval by the Department of Defense, including technology security and foreign disclosure release determinations.4.Reports(a)In generalThe Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on a semi-annual basis a report, which may be submitted in classified form, that identifies each application to export defense articles or defense services during the preceding 180-day period with respect to which the time to reach a decision exceeded the applicable deadline described in section 3(1) or 3(2).(b)Matter To be includedThe report required by this section shall also include the following information with respect to each application so identified:(1)The defense articles or defense services included in the application.(2)The recipient country, end-user, and any corporate entities involved in the application.(3)Whether the United States has previously exported similar defense articles or defense services to the recipient country or end-user.(4)A justification for the delay in reaching a decision with respect to the application.(5)The anticipated timeline for reaching a decision with respect to the application, if still pending as of the date of the submission of the report.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 4215 : International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4215IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 3, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsAN ACTTo require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act.2.List of countries and end-users to receive priority for direct commercial sales(a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and maintain a list of countries and end-users with respect to which expedited decision-making for applications for licenses for the export of defense articles and defense services is vital to the national security of the United States, consistent with the requirements of the Arms Export Control Act and other applicable provisions of law.(b)Submission to CongressNot later than 30 days after the development of the list required by subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an updated copy of the list.3.Decision-making process for applications for direct commercial salesNot later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of State publishes the list required by section 2, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall initiate a rulemaking process to establish an expedited timeline for the decision-making process with respect to applications to export defense articles or defense services under the Arms Export Control Act to countries or end-users identified by such list and a fixed timeline for decisions for all other applications for such exports. The timelines so established shall provide that, to the maximum extent practicable—(1)an application to export defense articles or defense services to a listed country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 45 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary;(2)an application to export defense articles or defense services to any country or end-user shall be approved, returned, or denied not later than 60 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary; and(3)the deadlines described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be suspended with respect to an application if necessary—(A)for applicable time periods specified in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 36 of such Act, during which Congress may enact a joint resolution prohibiting the approval of such application; or(B)for such time as may be required to receive a decision from the Secretary of Defense with respect to an application that is subject to approval by the Department of Defense, including technology security and foreign disclosure release determinations.4.Reports(a)In generalThe Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on a semi-annual basis a report, which may be submitted in classified form, that identifies each application to export defense articles or defense services during the preceding 180-day period with respect to which the time to reach a decision exceeded the applicable deadline described in section 3(1) or 3(2).(b)Matter To be includedThe report required by this section shall also include the following information with respect to each application so identified:(1)The defense articles or defense services included in the application.(2)The recipient country, end-user, and any corporate entities involved in the application.(3)Whether the United States has previously exported similar defense articles or defense services to the recipient country or end-user.(4)A justification for the delay in reaching a decision with respect to the application.(5)The anticipated timeline for reaching a decision with respect to the application, if still pending as of the date of the submission of the report.Passed the House of Representatives September 2, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (12)

DateChamberAll Actions
06/27/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
06/27/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
06/27/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
07/22/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
07/22/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 3.
09/02/2025House floor actionsMr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
09/02/2025House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3726-3727)
09/02/2025House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4215.
09/02/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3726)
09/02/2025House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3726)
09/02/2025House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
09/03/2025SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Titles (6)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (6)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (3)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Foreign Relations Committee09/03/2025 Referred To
House - Foreign Affairs Committee07/22/2025 Markup By
House - Foreign Affairs Committee06/27/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for H.R. 4215.

Subjects (5)

Policy Area: International Affairs

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.