US Federal Senate Bill SJR35

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/25
• Refer: 3/10/25

Caption

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the report of enhancement or upgrade of sensitive foreign military related to a sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.

Summary

S.J. Res. 35 is a joint resolution of congressional disapproval aimed at blocking a proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel. The resolution targets a reported enhancement or upgrade tied to Transmittal No. 25-0C under the Arms Export Control Act, specifically an increase in the value of major defense equipment by $624 million and non-major defense equipment and services by $269 million, attributed to recent cost increases. If adopted, the resolution would prohibit the proposed sale described in the transmittal and prevent the associated defense articles and services from being transferred under that notification. The measure is a form of congressional oversight over arms sales and would affect the implementation of the notified foreign military sale rather than amend broader defense or foreign aid statutes.

Impact

The bill would not create a new regulatory program or amend state law; it would operate at the federal level by disapproving a specific arms sale notification under section 36(b)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act. Its practical effect would be to block the identified sale of defense articles and services to Israel, limiting executive branch authority to proceed with that transaction unless Congress later approved a similar or revised notification. The affected parties are the U.S. government, the Government of Israel, and defense contractors involved in the sale.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal sentiment from legislative proceedings. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to reflect a critical or restrictive stance toward the proposed arms sale, using congressional disapproval to stop the transaction. The absence of votes or hearing material means broader support or opposition cannot be determined from the available record.

Contention

The central point of contention is the proposed increase in the value of the military sale and whether Congress should allow the transfer to proceed. Supporters of disapproval would likely argue that the sale should be blocked because of concerns about the scope, cost, or policy implications of providing additional defense articles and services to Israel. Opponents would likely view the resolution as an inappropriate interference with a U.S. security relationship and with the executive branch’s foreign military sales process. No named committee members or recorded positions are available in the provided materials.