Made-in-America Defense Act
What changed between versions
The bill title changed from 'FMS-Only List Review Act' to 'Made-in-America Defense Act,' signaling a broader framing around American defense industry competitiveness rather than just list review.
A new Section 2 (Sense of Congress) was added stating that Congress believes faster delivery of defense articles strengthens national security, notes that DoD contracting adds significant time, and supports periodic review of the FMS-Only List to remove items that can be transferred via direct commercial sales.
The review criteria for measuring transfer time was made more specific: it now requires measuring 'the average length of time' from 'initial submission of the letter of request to delivery,' rather than just a general comparison of time to complete a transfer.
The requirement that the Secretary of State consult with the Defense Trade Advisory Group and other interested parties during the review was removed.
The annual report requirements were substantially expanded. The old report asked for criteria used and identification of newly added/removed items. The new report must include: average transfer times compared to the prior period, leading causes of delays, steps taken to reduce delays, and any additions or removals from the FMS-Only List with justifications.
A formal definition of 'FMS-only list' was added, defining it as the list maintained by the Secretary of State of defense articles and services eligible for foreign military sales but not for direct commercial sales under section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act.
