HJRES 85119th CongressIn Committee

Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services.

Introduced: Mar 31, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill is a joint resolution introduced in the House that would block a specific foreign military sale (FMS) to Israel. It uses Congress’s disapproval mechanism under the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the sale described in Transmittal No. 25-26, published March 3, 2025. Specifically, the resolution would prevent Israel from receiving certain 1,000-pound bomb bodies (MK 83 and related variants) and related JDAM guidance kits (KMU-559C/B and KMU-559J/B) that are described in the notice. If enacted, the sale could not proceed, and U.S. agencies would be barred from completing or facilitating those particular defense articles and services. The bill reflects a legislative check on arms transfers, giving Congress a direct say over whether this particular package of weapons and related equipment goes to Israel. It does not address other potential U.S. aid or arms sales to Israel beyond the items listed in Transmittal No. 25-26.

Key Points

1Purpose and mechanism: The joint resolution provides for congressional disapproval of a specific foreign military sale to Israel under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), section 36(b)(1). It blocks the sale described in Transmittal No. 25-26.
2Specific items blocked:
3- 201 MK 83 MOD 4/MOD 5 General Purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies
4- 4,799 BLU-110A/B General Purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies
5- 1,500 KMU-559C/B JDAM guidance kits for the MK 83 bomb body
6- 3,500 KMU-559J/B JDAM guidance kits for the MK 83 bomb body
7Legal basis: The sale is described as a proposed foreign military sale to Israel submitted to Congress under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1)). The resolution asserts congressional disapproval of that sale.
8Status and process: Introduced in the House on March 31, 2025, with referral to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. As a joint resolution, it would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law (or be enacted through a veto-proof process) to prohibit the sale.
9Policy context: Uses Congress’s constitutional and statutory authority to oversee foreign arms transfers, signaling a policy stance on the scope and conditions of U.S. military assistance and arms sales to Israel.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Israel: The proposed acquisition would be blocked, altering Israel’s scheduled access to those 1,000-pound bombs and JDAM guidance kits, which could affect planning for military operations or training that depend on those munitions.- U.S. defense contractors: Firms involved in manufacturing the MK 83 bomb bodies and KMU-559 JDAM guidance kits would be directly affected by the prohibition, potentially impacting orders, contracts, and production schedules.Secondary group/area affected- U.S.-Israel security and diplomacy: The bill represents a U.S. legislative stance that could influence bilateral defense relations and the timing or nature of Israel’s procurement of certain precision-guided munitions.- U.S. foreign policy and arms export oversight: It reinforces the role of Congress in approving or disapproving major arms sales and could affect how AECA notifications are perceived domestically and internationally.Additional impacts- Alternative sourcing or substitution: If the sale is blocked, Israel or the U.S. defense ecosystem might pursue different munitions or substitutes, potentially affecting interoperability and operational plans.- Global arms transfer norms: As part of ongoing debates about arms transfers to the region, this resolution could contribute to broader discussions about conditions, safeguards, and oversight for U.S. military hardware exports.

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