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119-s-5375119th Congress

ARCH Act

Sponsored By: Senator Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

Introduced

Summary

creates a Department of Defense program to identify and preserve records for Afghan allies. The bill would set who counts as an Afghan ally, require a secure application system, and preserve service records and biometric data for eligible applicants.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

DoD staff cap exemption for records program

If enacted, statutory limits on staff numbers in parts of the Defense Department would not apply to people whose main job is running this records program. This would let the Department hire staff specifically to manage applications, reviews, and records preservation. The exemption applies only to personnel primarily assigned to carry out the program.

New records program for Afghan allies

If enacted, the Defense Department would set up a program to classify and preserve records for qualifying Afghan allies. The Secretary would have 180 days to create a secure online portal and an application process that stays open at least 10 years. To qualify you would generally need at least one year of service supporting the U.S. mission between Dec 22, 2001 and Sept 1, 2021 in the listed roles. DoD would review service records, applicant documents, contractor-held records, and biometric data (for example, fingerprints or iris scans). If there is no significant derogatory information, DoD would preserve the full application, service records, and biometrics for the applicant or a designee. Applicants could get private representation and the Secretary could not charge any fee. If denied, applicants would get a written reason and one written appeal (generally within 120 days) and one chance to ask to reopen the case.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

SD • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 8/7/2026

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 8/7/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 8/7/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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