US Congress moves to boost unchecked weapons transfers to Israel

The US House of Representatives is set to expand a little-known mechanism that allows for near-unlimited transfers of American weapons to Israel, intensifying concerns about reduced oversight and transparency. The provision is embedded within a must-pass State Department funding bill for the next fiscal year, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to discuss it on September 17.

The mechanism, known as the War Reserve Stock for Allies-Israel (WRSA-I), has become “the least transparent mechanism of providing arms to Israel,” according to former State Department official Josh Paul, who spoke to Responsible Statecraft.

Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has quietly drawn vast quantities of US weapons from WRSA-I, enabling what many analysts call the most intense bombing campaign of the 21st century in Gaza.

The arms transfer process through WRSA-I is notably streamlined. Paul explained, “When Israel asks for weapons from WRSA-I, the secretary of defense can approve the request without having to go through typical steps like notifying Congress or even the White House in advance. Then ‘Israel can just drive in, pull whatever it requires, and drive out.’” Payments for these weapons, he added, are “worked out or provided in the future.”

The legislation, championed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-Fla.), would build on a 2024 law that temporarily lifted restrictions on the type and value of U.S. weapons transferred to WRSA-I, previously capped at $200 million annually.

Critics warn the bill’s expansion could strain US military readiness. Paul noted it risks creating “a significant drain on US military readiness.” Concerns also arise over a provision eliminating the State Department’s reporting requirements to Congress on issues including human rights, with John Ramming-Chappell of the Center for Civilians in Conflict warning, “Congressional oversight would take a very big hit if this were to pass as it exists now.”

The push to expand arms transfers comes amid heightened global scrutiny, following a UN panel’s finding that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians—a charge Israel vehemently denies. The bill's passage could redefine the nature of US support to Israel while curbing critical congressional oversight.

By Vafa Guliyeva