Bill · H.R. 6736· House(119-HR-6736)
ARMAS Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/16/2025
- Last activity
- 12/16/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Joaquin Castro
- Cosponsors
- - 32 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales Act of 2025," requires the transfer of regulatory control for certain munitions exports from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State. It aims to disrupt the illegal export and trafficking of firearms to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The legislation mandates the development of an inter-agency strategy and establishes requirements for tracking end-users and monitoring munitions. It also includes provisions to increase participation in the eTrace program and updates the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. Additionally, the bill establishes "covered countries" to receive specific oversight and certification for munitions transfers.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this tighten control of the border?+3
The bill enhances efforts to disrupt the illegal smuggling of firearms across borders to Mexico and Central America.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+2
By disrupting illegal firearms trafficking, the bill aims to reduce violence-related human rights violations in the targeted regions.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill mandates annual reports to Congress regarding the export of covered munitions to specific countries.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The bill increases bureaucratic requirements and certification processes for exporting certain munitions.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
The bill imposes more stringent licensing and certification requirements for businesses involved in munitions exports.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Monitoring of Firearms: The bill requires the Secretary of State to develop an inter-agency strategy to disrupt the illegal export and trafficking of firearms to specific regions (Section 4). This is intended to address concerns regarding firearms that contribute to human rights violations, organized crime, and gang violence (Section s 2).
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Improved End-User Verification: The legislation seeks to track and verify information regarding the end-users of exported firearms through data-sharing agreements (Section 4). This could help ensure that weapons are not diverted to unauthorized recipients (Section 4).
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Enhanced Forensic Tracking: The bill calls for improved collection and sharing of forensic information, such as serial numbers, to help identify the origin of trafficked firearms (Section 4).
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Support for Law Enforcement in Haiti: The eTrace program will be made available in French and Haitian Creole to improve its use by law enforcement authorities in Haiti (Section 5).
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Strengthened Regional Security: The bill updates the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative's Results Framework to include specific indicators relating to firearms trafficking (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Munitions Transfers: The bill prohibits the transfer of covered munitions to designated covered countries until a specific certification program is established and maintained (Section 8). This could result in a halt of transfers if the Secretary of State is unable to recertify a country (Section 8).
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Increased Oversight Requirements: The Secretary of State must implement a program for the registration, end-use monitoring, and record-keeping of covered munitions, which includes prohibiting retransfers without U.S. consent (Section 8).
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New Limitations on Export Licenses: The Secretary of State may be required to submit written certifications to congressional committees before granting export licenses for certain items, which may include waiting periods of 15 to 30 days (Section 9).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+3Improves Racial Equity+2Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+2Good For Business Owners-2
- 10/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Jake AuchinclossDemocrat · Massachusetts
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Rosa DeLauroDemocrat · Connecticut
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Robert MenendezDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Norma TorresDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Juan VargasDemocrat · California
Maxine WatersDemocrat · California
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey