US Federal Senate Bill SB935

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

A bill to prohibit sales and the issuance of licenses for the export of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, and for other purposes.

Summary

SB 935 would bar the President from selling or authorizing the export of specified U.S. defense articles to the United Arab Emirates unless and until the President certifies to Congress that the UAE is not providing materiel support to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The restriction applies to a broad set of weapons and military equipment categories on the U.S. Munitions List, including major conventional arms and related defense articles. The bill is framed as a foreign policy and arms-export restriction tied to the conflict in Sudan. Its practical effect would be to condition or suspend certain U.S. defense sales and export licenses to the UAE under the Arms Export Control Act, creating a congressional leverage point over alleged UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces. The bill does not itself change the underlying export-control framework, but it would add a specific statutory limitation for the UAE until the certification requirement is met.

Impact

If enacted, SB 935 would amend the federal arms-export regime by prohibiting certain defense sales and export licenses to the UAE unless the executive branch makes a certification to Congress regarding UAE conduct in Sudan. It would affect the President’s authority under the Arms Export Control Act and would directly impact defense contractors, exporters, and U.S.-UAE security cooperation involving covered military items in the listed Munitions List categories.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available procedural history, the measure appears driven by concern over the humanitarian and security situation in Sudan and skepticism about UAE involvement there. No committee debate or vote record is provided, so there is no documented bipartisan or partisan sentiment in the materials beyond the bill’s restrictive posture toward arms transfers. The introduction and referral indicate the bill was formally received and sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration.

Contention

The central point of contention is whether the UAE is providing materiel support to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and whether U.S. arms sales should be used as leverage in response. Supporters would likely view the bill as a necessary accountability measure to deter external interference in Sudan’s conflict, while opponents may argue it could damage a strategic U.S. partner relationship, reduce U.S. influence, or rely on an overly broad certification standard. The bill’s broad coverage of defense articles also means affected defense and foreign-policy stakeholders could object to the scope of the restriction.