WASHINGTON – In a move to cut red tape to aid allies in acquiring American-made defense products, Reps. Robert Aderholt, Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) today introduced the Accelerate Revenue for Manufacturing and Sales (ARMS) Act.
The bipartisan proposal would expedite the delivery of U.S.-made critical defense capabilities to allies and partners, by expanding the Special Defense Acquisition Fund.
“This bipartisan bill will help ensure that America’s allies and partners can receive critical defense equipment in a timely manner,” said Aderholt (R-Haleyville). “By strengthening the SDAF, this legislation not only supports national security interests abroad, but invests in our industrial defense base at home.”
This bill addresses the inefficiencies and delays in the current Foreign Military Sales process.
“The ARMS Act is a win-win for our economic and national security, investing in both our critical manufacturing here at home and our allies’ defense abroad,” Moskowitz said. “As we continue to combat the threatening influence of foreign adversaries like Russia and China, this bill will help our allies stay safe while maintaining our leadership around the globe.”
According to a news release from Aderholt, the urgency to address these has increased in recent years, as the combined value of Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales has significantly exceeded domestic defense procurement budgets, with international demand for U.S. defense products approaching 2-to-1 over domestic acquisition.
“I’ve made it my mission to eliminate the bureaucratic delays that prevent America’s life-saving defense capabilities from reaching our allies and partners,” said Zinke. “This bill delivers on that mission. The Special Defense Acquisition Fund is a vital but historically under-resourced tool that strengthens our defense industrial base and accelerates the delivery of critical arms and equipment to our allies.
“This legislation restores the SDAF to its original purpose supporting our partners and advancing American interests around the globe, without costing taxpayers a dime. I applaud Congressman Aderholt for his leadership in drafting this commonsense, strategic legislation.”
The Accelerate Revenue for Manufacturing and Sales Act is supported by leading defense organizations, including the Professional Services Counsel, National Defense Industrial Association, and Aerospace Industries Association.
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