Made-in-America Defense Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4216) to direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to carry out a review of the list of defense articles and services required to be transferred under the foreign military sales program as opposed to direct commercial sale (FMS-Only List), as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to improve the foreign military sales process.

When our partners and allies choose to procure U.S.-origin defense articles or services, they have a choice to purchase items via either the foreign military sales process or the direct commercial sales process.

While foreign military sales are often the path of choice due to the robust, total-package approach, direct commercial sales are preferable in many cases, as it is faster and a more nimble process than foreign military sales.

However, the State Department maintains an out-of-date list of defense articles that may only be purchased via foreign military sales. This list is meant to only include the most sensitive technologies that would pose a risk to U.S. competitiveness or national security if these technologies fell into the wrong hands.

However, its outdated nature ends up creating the very problem that it seeks to avoid. U.S. competitiveness is limited, as our partners choose to turn to other sources for technologies that are too slow to procure from the U.S.

President Trump's April 9 executive order mandated that the State Department review and update the foreign military sales-only list.

This legislation would codify that requirement and go one step further by requiring an annual review of the list. This legislation would also enhance congressional reporting requirements to ensure that Congress has oversight over any changes to the list.

This much-needed legislation is a key part of reforming our foreign defense sales process to ensure that the United States maintains its competitiveness and remains the global partner of choice for procurement of defense technology.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Foreign Arms Sales Task Force, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. Biggs), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, reforming America's foreign defense sales is a top priority of this administration. We must do our part to codify the improvements initiated by President Trump. I am proud to support this legislation to improve the foreign defense system, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4216. This bill directs the Department of State to conduct an annual review in consultation with the Department of Defense of what weapons and technologies can be moved from the FMS-only list to be eligible for direct commercial sales.

It also requires helpful reporting to Congress on the process and evaluation of these changes. Importantly, it does not modify or undermine Congress' oversight or visibility into the proposed arms transfers.

The context behind this bill is very important. Our country provides defense articles and services to our allies and partners via foreign military sales, often abbreviated to ``FMS.'' U.S. FMS cases offer a unique approach, which include not only the most capable military platforms to our friends but what historically has been known as the total-package approach.

This refers to the fact that the United States, via FMS sales, provides not only the military hardware itself, but a total package that includes training, repairs, and maintenance support, as well as capacity building for that nation's military.

Our adversaries, quite simply, do not and often cannot provide both such exquisite technologies but also the whole suite of support that comes with them. The advanced technology, as well as the total-package approach and our diplomatic influence, values, and position sets us apart.

While FMS transfers are fit for many cases and situations, some foreign partners have sought to expand their defense purchases via greater direct commercial sales from U.S. firms. While these steps need to be taken carefully, the review required by this bill is a smart step in the right direction which I support.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing, but I will be very brief.

This legislation provides a useful directive while maintaining congressional prerogatives and oversight over armed sales. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me and support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump made it clear: Put American jobs first, and cut the Washington red tape. I am proud to say that my bill delivers by turning the President's executive order into law and investing in American workers.

The Made-in-America Defense Act strengthens domestic manufacturing. It supports our allies, and it advances our national security, all by cutting through the Washington bureaucracy that too often slows us down.

Here is the bottom line: This bill will produce more jobs for our tradesmen and boost manufacturing in South Carolina and across the Nation.

For South Carolina's Third District, it means good jobs for welders, machinists, and engineers. It means new orders coming into counties like Anderson, Greenwood, Newberry, and Oconee, and many other hardworking blue-color communities all across the Nation.

Importantly, it means America's best equipment reaching our allies faster than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.