S. 5082 — Values in Arms Export Act of 2026

This section establishes United States policy that a foreign government’s respect for and compliance with internationally recognized human rights and international humanitarian law are central and deciding factors in determining eligibility to purchase defense articles or defense services under the Arms Export Control Act.

This section requires the Secretary of State, through the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence, to assess whether defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services in letters of offer or export license applications are more likely than not to be used to violate internationally recognized human rights or international humanitarian law. It also requires licensees to conduct their own due diligence to ensure compliance with those standards.

This section establishes the Human Rights and Law of War Oversight Board as an independent agency within the executive branch. The Board reviews arms transfer policies and executive branch implementation to ensure consideration of internationally recognized human rights and international humanitarian law, submits assessments on proposed transfers to Congress, designates countries of concern, and issues annual reports to Congress and the President.

This section expands the Blue Lantern end-use monitoring program under the Arms Export Control Act to require consideration of whether defense articles and services may be used to commit violations of internationally recognized human rights or international humanitarian law, in addition to diversion or other misuse.

This section requires decisions on issuing export licenses for defense articles and services to consider whether the export would be used to commit violations of internationally recognized human rights or international humanitarian law.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress, not later than two years after enactment, reviewing the implementation of section 40C of the Arms Export Control Act.