No Equipment Left Behind Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9241
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T12:34:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
## Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "No Equipment Left Behind Act of 2026," aims to strengthen Department of Defense oversight and accountability for U.S. military equipment during force withdrawals or major repositioning in high-risk areas. It responds to past incidents where equipment was left behind and later acquired by hostile groups, such as in Iraq in 2014 and Afghanistan in 2021.
## Key Provisions Outlined
- New Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of Defense must submit detailed reports to Congress within 60 days of initiating significant force changes in designated theaters. These reports include comprehensive inventories of equipment, assessments of possible disposal options (such as return, sale, or destruction), cost estimates, and risk mitigation plans to prevent misuse.
- Risk Mitigation and Monitoring: Requires plans for end-use monitoring, remote disablement where possible, chain-of-custody procedures, and safeguards for sensitive technology. Assessments must cover the reliability of partner forces receiving equipment.
- Approval and Notification Rules: Senior Defense officials (Secretary or Deputy Secretary) must approve in writing any abandonment, destruction, or demilitarization of equipment valued over $10 million. Notifications are required for sales or transfers, and special alerts for events like partner force collapses or equipment used in attacks.
- Annual and Follow-Up Reports: Mandates yearly summaries of equipment dispositions, diversions, and risk measures for five years, plus immediate notifications for high-risk events.
- Additional Studies: Requires an initial baseline report on current processes, a review of accountability measures for leaders, and a Government Accountability Office evaluation of implementation.
## Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The bill adds a new section (2582) to Chapter 153 of Title 10, United States Code, creating mandatory oversight processes where none previously existed in statute for equipment disposition during withdrawals. It expands congressional notification requirements and imposes senior-level approval thresholds, moving beyond general property accountability rules in existing Department of Defense instructions.
## Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative and reporting burdens on the Department of Defense, requiring enhanced tracking systems, cost analyses, and coordination across agencies. May lead to more structured planning for future operations.
- On Citizens: Aims to protect taxpayer-funded equipment from loss, potentially reducing future costs associated with replacements or security threats, though it could raise short-term operational expenses for compliance.
- On International Relations: Affects dealings with allies and partners by requiring evaluations of their ability to secure equipment and risks of diversion, which could influence security assistance decisions and partner force assessments.
## Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Defense and its components responsible for logistics and security assistance.
- Congressional defense committees, which receive new reports and notifications.
- U.S. allies and partner forces that may receive or lose access to equipment.
- Hostile actors or groups in designated theaters, indirectly through reduced equipment availability.
## Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The legislation reinforces Congress's oversight role over executive branch military operations by mandating detailed reporting and approvals, consistent with existing constitutional authority on defense matters. It introduces no direct constitutional conflicts but emphasizes accountability standards that could affect how future force decisions are executed. All reports may include classified annexes to balance transparency with security needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-06-10: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Equipment Left Behind Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (20 pages)