What does Preamble of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To impose requirements with respect to monitoring the operational use of sales, exports, and transfers of defense articles and services, and for other purposes,' aims to establish requirements for monitoring the operational use of defense articles and services. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 17, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Silver Shield Operational End Use Monitoring Act of 2025.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF SILVER SHIELD OPERATIONAL END-USE MONITORING of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "Silver Shield" program within the Department of State to monitor the end-use of defense articles and services sold, leased, transferred, or exported under the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act. The program aims to determine if recipients have used U.S. defense articles or services to inflict civilian harm, violate international humanitarian law, or violate international human rights law, including instances of genocide, crimes against humanity, or grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. If a determination of such violations is made, the program requires a determination of ineligibility under the Arms Export Control Act, with a 180-day timeline. The program will incorporate data and best practices from existing initiatives like the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance and the Leahy Laws. Information for monitoring will be gathered from various sources, including government personnel, eyewitness interviews, publicly available evidence, NGOs, and an online portal. The program will be coordinated between the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and other relevant federal agencies. An external advisory board composed of experts will provide guidance on research methodology, information sources, and investigative best practices.

What does AMENDMENTS TO THE ARMS EXPORT CONTROL ACT. of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to establish new requirements related to the use of defense articles and services by foreign countries and international organizations. The President is required to ensure that, prior to authorizing sales, exports, or transfers, written agreements are entered into stipulating that recipient governments or organizations will not use U.S. defense articles to violate international humanitarian law or human rights law, or actions that would render them ineligible for U.S. assistance. Section 3(a) of the AECA is amended to include a requirement that countries or international organizations agree not to use defense articles to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law or international human rights law. Section 505 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to include similar conditions regarding the use of defense articles and related training. The authorized purpose for military sales is clarified to exclude the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law. The amendments will take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act. The Secretary of State must subsume the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance into the AECA and review relevant policies, and the Secretary of Defense must reissue Department of Defense Instruction 4140.66 to ensure consistency.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes appropriations for the Silver Shield program, as described in section 2. The Silver Shield program is considered an administrative service related to sales under the Arms Export Control Act. The program is also considered an administrative and operational cost of the Department of State related to military assistance and sales funded through Foreign Military Financing.

What does REPORTS. of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This section mandates two reports related to the Silver Shield program. The Secretary of State must submit a report within 180 days of the Act's enactment detailing the resources, staffing, and authorities needed to implement the program as described in section 2(a). The President must submit an annual report, beginning one year after the program's establishment, as part of the annual congressional presentation documents under section 634 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The annual report must include a detailed accounting of the costs and personnel associated with the Silver Shield program. The report must also describe resource constraints, including staffing, funding, and authorities. The report must detail the operational end-use monitoring of United States arms transfers. The report must include the number of incidents not yet investigated and the number and status of ongoing investigations, including how long incidents have remained in each stage.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Silver Shield Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Appropriate congressional committees” are specified as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Appropriations, and the Senate counterparts. “Civilian harm” is defined as civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects, and significant adverse effects on civilian life resulting from military operations. “Defense article” and “defense service” are given the meanings defined in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act. “Operational end-use monitoring” refers to gathering and assessing information regarding the use of defense articles or services, including their involvement in civilian harm or violations of international law.

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Silver Shield Act of 2025

Last updated: 7/17/2025 · Introduced: 7/17/2025

Author: Sara Jacobs (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes the 'Silver Shield' program within the Department of State to monitor how foreign recipients use U.S. defense articles and services, specifically looking for instances of civilian harm, human rights violations, or breaches of international humanitarian law.
The bill amends the Arms Export Control Act to require written agreements from recipient countries and organizations ensuring they will not use U.S. defense articles to violate international law or commit human rights abuses.
The bill clarifies that military sales cannot be authorized if they could facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law.
The bill authorizes appropriations to fund the Silver Shield program, covering its administrative and operational costs related to arms sales and military assistance.
The bill mandates regular reports to Congress detailing the program's resources, staffing, operational activities, and any resource constraints encountered during end-use monitoring.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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