House bill would reform U.S. military assistance, security assistance to foreign powers

U.S. diplomats would have access to new tools to rein in state sponsors of terrorism, to counter violent extremism, and to enhance regional and global security under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.

The International Security Assistance Act of 2018, H.R. 5677, would reform the process for providing military assistance and security assistance to foreign powers. Introduced by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the bill will be marked up later this week.

“In the face of ongoing threats from Iran and terrorist groups such as ISIS and Hezbollah, it is critical that we strengthen our partners’ ability to defend themselves,” Royce said. “While I had hoped to move a broader State Department authorization bill two weeks ago, this security assistance provision is a top priority. This bill will bolster the work of our diplomats in the field. I hope it will move quickly with strong bipartisan support.”

The bill would take steps to ensure that the secretary of state can exercise “continuous oversight and supervision” of U.S. security assistance programs. It would also enhance congressional oversight of the process to delist countries as state sponsors of terror. The measure would also extend the War Reserve Stockpile for Israel and reform defense trade licensing.