Senators Introduce Bill to Restrict Arms Sales to Human Rights Abusers

Three Democratic senators introduced a bill that would impose more restrictions on arms sales to protect against human rights violations. The bill -- introduced Sept. 24 by New Jersey's Bob Menendez, Vermont's Patrick Leahy and Virginia's Tim Kaine -- would amend the Arms Export Control Act by imposing more conditions before certain arms sales can be completed.

The bill would block all arms sales to countries committing genocide or war crimes, require “agreements” with purchasers that the defense items won’t be used for human rights abuses, and increase congressional oversight of arms sales. The bill would also allow exports of certain items -- including rockets, missiles, combat vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and others -- if those sales are subject to end-use monitoring and other conditions.

Another provision would require congressional approval for export licenses of firearm silencers to “any foreign nongovernmental person.” The senators said the license should not be issued unless the secretary of state certifies that there is no risk the export will be diverted to terrorists or criminal organizations.

The U.S. has “for too long devoted inadequate care” to oversight of arms sales, Menendez said in a news release. “This legislation will require that the United States fully consider the human rights record of any potential buyer of U.S. weapons to prevent sales to human rights abusers,” Kaine said. “At a time when the Trump Administration refuses to cancel arms deals to any country as a repercussion for gross human rights violations, it is critical for Congress to hold the line on a values-based national security policy.”