Zinke-Led Military Sales Bill Passes House, Bolstering U.S. Manufacturing and Global Alliances
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Ryan Zinke’s Allied Defense Sales Act, legislation aimed at strengthening American manufacturing by making it easier for allied nations to jointly purchase U.S.-made defense equipment while deepening strategic partnerships abroad. The bill is a continuation of Zinke’s work as Chairman of the Foreign Military Sales Task Force, where he has worked alongside the Department of War to modernize military sales, securing huge wins through legislation and executive order.
“America builds the best defense equipment in the world, and our allies need it to safeguard their – and our – people and interests,” said Zinke. “This bill helps cut through the bureaucracy so our partners can work together to buy American-made systems faster and more efficiently. That means stronger and more secure alliances, and more manufacturing jobs here at home.”
“Strengthening our partnerships abroad is critical to advancing our national security interests and maintaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and dangerous world,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “I’m pleased the House has passed our bipartisan legislation to help trusted allies and partners coordinate purchases of U.S. defense equipment, improve interoperability, and deliver critical capabilities more efficiently.”
The bill is modeled after successful multinational cooperation efforts and focuses on helping groups of allied countries with similar defense needs coordinate joint purchases. By aligning demand across multiple partners, the legislation would help stabilize production and accelerate delivery timelines for American manufacturers.
Under the current system, many smaller countries face steep barriers when trying to purchase U.S. equipment due to the scale and complexity of the process. These hurdles can delay orders and create uncertainty for American manufacturers. The Allied Defense Sales Act addresses these challenges by creating a more flexible and coordinated approach for enabling multinational procurement, especially for partners in regions like Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, further helping generate more consistent demand for U.S.-made systems.
The legislation directs the Department of War to assess interest among allied nations, identify potential lead coordinator countries for joint purchases, recommend ways to streamline approvals and licensing, and increase the exportability of defense articles and services. It also explores ways to expand access to financing tools and accelerate sales outside traditional programs, ensuring American defense companies can respond more quickly to allied demand.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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