Security Sector Governance Compacts Act
Sponsored By: Representative Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
Introduced
Summary
A new Security Sector Governance Index would score U.S. security partners and link those scores to what kinds of U.S. security sector assistance they could receive. The bill would create annual assessments, four-tier designations, limited waiver authority, multi-year Security Sector Governance Compacts, and a compact fund for fiscal years 2027–2031.
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- Security partner countries: Each partner would be placed in one of four tiers. Tier rules limit assistance from training and disaster aid in lower tiers up to lethal equipment and armament cooperation in higher tiers.
- U.S. agencies and partners: The State Department, using the Defense Security Cooperation University and Defense Department input, would run the Index and update assessments yearly. Tier two and three partners could negotiate up to five-year compacts that must spend at least 30% of compact assistance on institutional capacity building, and the Secretary may waive tier limits for long‑standing strategic partners with a plan and public justification.
- Congress and funding: Congress would get annual reports and be consulted before compact talks. The bill creates a Security Sector Compact Fund, requires 15-day notification before obligations, and authorizes the Fund for FY2027 through FY2031.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Security sector governance index
If enacted, the State Department would have 90 days to make a Security Sector Governance Index that measures corruption, civilian oversight, political activity by security forces, promotions, and human rights records. The government would publish a summary in the Federal Register within 30 days. Within 90 days after that publication, the State Department would rank partner countries as tier one, two, three, or four and report to congressional committees. Ranks would be updated at least once a year and NATO members and certain allies would be exempt from some multi-year review rules.
Tiered foreign assistance limits and waivers
If enacted, the bill would limit what kinds of security assistance countries can receive based on their Index tier. Tier one would be largely nonlethal institution-building and oversight programs. Tier two would add counterterrorism, targeted capacity-building, and some technical help and nonlethal equipment. Tier three would allow lethal equipment, larger exchanges, and expanded exercises. Tier four would allow broader armament cooperation and some special Title 10 activities. The Secretary of State and Defense could waive these limits for long-standing strategic partners, but waivers must include a security justification, an annual improvement plan, be published publicly, and generally may not run more than five years without a law extending them.
New security compacts and fund
If enacted, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense would be able to sign multi-year Security Sector Governance Compacts with eligible partner countries. Each compact would last no more than five years and must spend at least 30 percent of assistance on institutional capacity building. The bill would create a Security Sector Compact Fund and authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Fund money could only go to tier two or tier three countries that have a Compact. The State and Defense Departments would have to notify appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before obligating Fund money.
Definitions for security assistance terms
If enacted, the bill would add clear legal definitions for key words used in the Act. It would define which congressional committees are "appropriate committees," and define "Department," "Index," "Secretary," and "security partner country." The bill would say "security assistance" excludes Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales but that "security sector assistance" includes Title 10 activities like certain 127d and 127e authorities. The Secretary of State would also have 180 days to define "lethal equipment" and "non-lethal equipment" after consulting the Defense Department and outside experts.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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