Guide
Which committees of Congress review Foreign Military Sales?
A proposed Foreign Military Sale that meets the notification criteria is certified to the Speaker of the House, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Those two committees also hold primary responsibility for authorizations; the Armed Services committees write most authorities through the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
Which committees of Congress review arms sales?
The work of receiving and preparing legislation is performed largely by committees in both houses of Congress. The primary committees of Congress with / responsibility for authorizations are the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs (HFAC) and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (SFRC).
At times, special topics in / will be addressed by other committees such as the Armed Services committees. Most authorities have been generated by the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) with the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The Congress of the U.S., as provided by Article I, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution, is vested with all legislative powers. In terms of /, congressional power and influence are exercised in several ways:
- Development, consideration, and action on legislation to establish or amend basic / authorization acts
- Enactment of appropriation acts
- Passage of joint continuing resolutions to permit the incurrence of obligations to carry on essential / program activities until appropriation action is complete
- Conduct hearings and investigations into special areas of interest, to include instructions to the , the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and Congressional Research Service (CRS) to accomplish special reviews
- Review of proposed by , direct commercial sales (), third-party transfers, grants, and leases
- Ratification of treaties that may have / implications
A major dimension of the U.S. / framework is conventional and sales. The ultimate authority for such sales resides in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which assigns Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. Article IV, Section 3, grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all necessary rules and regulations regarding the transfer of property belonging to the U.S. government ().
Within the legislative branch, three offices have a significant impact on the conduct and management of the U.S. / program. The most prominent activities of the are its audits and evaluations of programs and activities, conducted in response to requests from Congress, its committees, members, and staff. The is under the control and direction of the Comptroller General of the United States. The audit authority of the extends to all departments and other agencies of the federal government. Among other functions, the also has statutory authority to prescribe accounting principles and standards and settle claims by and against the United States. The CBO is tasked with the collection of data and the analyses of alternative fiscal, budgetary, and programmatic policy issues. The CRS within the Library of Congress accomplishes special studies for Congress. Often, these studies are concerned with / issues and policies.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C5.7.1 — Definition and Purpose.
Public authorities
Related
Security Assistance (SA)
A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Security Cooperation
Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Arms Export Control Act (AECA)
The basic U.S. law providing the authority and general rules for the conduct of Foreign Military Sales and commercial sales of defense articles, defense services, and training. The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) came into existence with the passage of the Foreign Military Sales Act (FMSA) of 1968. An amendment in the International Security Assistance and AECA of 1976 changed the name of FMSA to the AECA.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA)
The legal instrument used by the USG to transfer itemized defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services to foreign partners.
When used under the authorities provided in the Arms Export Control Act for Foreign Military Sales, the LOA is a binding agreement signed by the USG and the foreign partner to transfer such articles and services.
When used under Building Partnership Capacity (BPC) authorities, the BPC LOA is not signed by the Benefitting Partner.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Joint Resolution
A legislative resolution, designated H J Res (House) or S J Res (Senate) which requires the approval of both houses and the signature of the President, just as a bill does, and which has the force of law if approved. There is no practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution. A joint resolution generally is used to deal with a limited matter such as a single appropriation. Congressional rejection of a proposed arms transfer, lease, third country transfer, or a proposed international cooperative project takes the form of a joint resolution of disapproval.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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LOA — Letter of Offer and Acceptance
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
SAMM — Security Assistance Management Manual
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) →
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
An agency of the legislative branch, responsible solely to the Congress, which functions to audit all negotiated government contracts and investigate all matters relating to the receipt, disbursement, and application of public funds. The GAO determines whether public funds are expended in accordance with appropriations, and recommends to Congress various policies and procedures to be enacted into law to provide oversight and governance of government spending. Formerly, the General Accounting Office.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Arms Transfers
The sale, lease, loan, or other transfer of defense articles and defense services such as arms, ammunition, and implements of war, including components thereof, and the training, manufacturing licenses, technical assistance, and technical data related thereto, provided by the USG under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, or the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, or other statutory authority, or directly by commercial firms to foreign countries, foreign private firms, or to international organizations. See also conventional arms transfers.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
A process, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, through which eligible foreign governments and international organizations may purchase defense articles, services, and training from the United States Government.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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DCS — Direct Commercial Sales
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026