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119-s-5542119th Congress

Military Officer Promotion Integrity Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Restricts and formalizes when the Secretary of Defense can remove officers from promotion recommendations. The bill would require written, evidence-backed removal determinations, list specific allowable grounds, bar removals for lawful official activity, and create expedited post-removal reviews under 10 U.S.C. § 1552.

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  • Selected officers would receive written notice and access to expedited review procedures, and the Secretary must provide notice within 15 days of a final removal determination.
  • The Secretary of Defense would be limited to four enumerated grounds for removal: misconduct, newly discovered material adverse information that affects promotion qualifications, loss of statutory qualifications, or national security or military necessity. Removals must identify the ground, set out factual findings and evidence, and be supported by substantial evidence.
  • Congressional defense committees would receive written notification within 15 days after a final removal decision.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Protections for officers selected for promotion

If enacted, this bill would limit when the Secretary of Defense could remove an officer who was selected for promotion. Removal would be allowed only for misconduct; newly discovered material adverse information unavailable to the promotion board that materially affects qualifications; loss of statutory qualifications; or for national security or military necessity. The Secretary would have to give a written determination naming the ground, stating factual findings, citing supporting evidence, and show substantial evidence. Officers would get written notice and a chance to submit written matters before a final decision. The Secretary would notify the officer and congressional defense committees within 15 days after a final determination. If an officer petitions a Board for Correction of Military Records within 15 days of notice, the Secretary would stay the removal until the board finishes review, and the board must complete expedited review within 180 days. The Secretary concerned would have to issue implementing procedures within 180 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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