Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 4215 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
7 members · Left 0 · Center 1 · Right 6 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Baumgartner, Michael (R-WA) (Introduced 06/27/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Right · 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 |
| Committees | Senate - Foreign Relations Committee; House - Foreign Affairs Committee; House - Foreign Affairs Committee |
| Latest Action | 09/03/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 06/27/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 06/27/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 06/27/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. |
| 07/22/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 07/22/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 3. |
| 09/02/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. |
| 09/02/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3726-3727) |
| 09/02/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4215. |
| 09/02/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3726) |
| 09/02/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3726) |
| 09/02/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 09/03/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | 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. |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act |
| Official Title as Introduced | 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. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Foreign Relations Committee | 09/03/2025 Referred To |
| House - Foreign Affairs Committee | 07/22/2025 Markup By |
| House - Foreign Affairs Committee | 06/27/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 4215.
Policy Area: International Affairs
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