SJRES 42119th CongressIn Committee

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel.

Introduced: Mar 27, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

S. J. Res. 42 is a joint resolution introduced in the Senate that would provide congressional disapproval of a specific proposed export of defense articles to Israel. If enacted, it would prohibit the sale of particular firearms and related items—valued at $1,000,000 or more and described in Transmittal DDTC 23-086—for ultimate end use by the Israel National Police, with Lavi BBG Ltd. named as the exporter/receiver. The items specified are 3,200 DDM4 rifles (11.5-inch barrels, 5.56mm) and 2,000 MK18 rifles (10.3-inch barrels, 5.56mm) described as fully automatic. The notification of this proposed export was transmitted to Congress under section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act and published as Executive Communication 509 in the Congressional Record on March 24, 2025. The bill’s status is “Introduced” in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations; it would need to be enacted by both chambers and signed by the President to become law.

Key Points

1Purpose: The joint resolution provides congressional disapproval of a specific proposed defense export to Israel, blocking the sale if enacted.
2Specific items blocked: 3,200 DDM4 rifles (11.5" barrels, 5.56mm) and 2,000 MK18 rifles (10.3" barrels, 5.56mm), described as fully automatic, under Category I of the U.S. Munitions List, with a value of $1,000,000 or more.
3Transmittal and notification: The proposed export is described in DDTC Transmittal No. DDTC 23-086 and communicated to Congress as Executive Communication 509, per section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act.
4End use and recipient: Export to Lavi BBG Ltd. in Israel for ultimate end use by the Israel National Police.
5Legal mechanism: The bill uses Congress’s authority to disapprove proposed arms exports, which, if enacted, would require the President to withhold the sale.
6Status: Introduced in the Senate on March 27, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations; no further action indicated in the text provided.
7Scope limitation: The disapproval targets only this specific proposed export; other arms transfers to Israel or other recipients would remain subject to existing law and processes.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- United States defense manufacturers and suppliers involved in producing DDM4 and MK18 rifles, as well as the importer/exporter (Lavi BBG Ltd.) and the U.S. export-control system (DDTC).- Israel National Police as the intended end user of the blocked weapons.Secondary group/area affected- U.S.-Israel security and defense cooperation dynamics; signaling of Congress’s stance on specific arms transfers.- The executive branch (President and U.S. Department of State/DOD) regarding arms export decisions, since congressional disapproval can override or block proposed sales.Additional impacts- If enacted, potential shifts in defense procurement planning for Israel and possible reassignment or replacement of equipment.- Precedent value for Congress’s use of disapproval resolutions to influence future arms sales involving allies.- Possible budget and contractual implications for the involved exporters and end users, and any ripple effects in related supply chains.This summary reflects the text as introduced. No enactment status beyond “Introduced” is indicated, so the bill would still need passage by both houses and signature by the President to become law.The provision relies on the Arms Export Control Act process, where Congress can disapprove proposed arms exports within the applicable review window.

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