Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Foreign Military Sales Task Force, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing the outdated Congressional Notification (CN) process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19).
Zinke’s legislation comes as FMS and DCS transactions with U.S. allies continue to rise sharply, while CN thresholds—established over two decades ago—have remained unchanged. The stagnant process, lawmakers argue, delays critical defense partnerships and risks driving allies toward geopolitical rivals like China and Russia.
“This bill is about keeping America competitive and strengthening our alliances,” said Zinke. “By modernizing these thresholds, we’re removing outdated red tape while maintaining strict safeguards for security and human rights. It’s a strategic update that meets today’s global defense realities.”
The proposed legislation raises the dollar thresholds that trigger Congressional review of foreign arms sales to reflect inflation and current security dynamics. It also includes provisions to streamline approval timelines and enhance reporting requirements under the Arms Export Control Act, aiming to increase both efficiency and transparency in the sales process.
Panetta emphasized the bipartisan nature of the legislation: “Our national security depends on timely and trusted cooperation with allies. This bill ensures Congress stays informed without slowing down the partnerships that keep us all safer.”