January 31, 2026
Trump State Department bypasses Congress for second time to send Israel $6.67B in weapons
Rubio bypasses Congress for third time in 2026 using emergency authority
🌍Foreign Policy🏛️Government
Marco Rubio signed emergency authority declaration on Jan 31, 2026, to bypass congressional review for $6.67B Israel weapons sale - third time Trump administration used Arms Export Control Act Section 36(b) emergency waiver in 2026
Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced four packages: 30 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters with Lockheed Martin rockets ($3.8B), 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles ($1.98B), light utility helicopters ($150M), power packs for Namer armored personnel carriers
Gregory Meeks received 1-hour notice before public announcement, not traditional 20-40 days informal review allowing congressional leaders to raise confidential concerns before sales announced
Arms Export Control Act Section 36(b) requires 15 calendar days congressional notice for major transfers over $100M, but emergency waiver allows immediate sale if President/Secretary declares emergency exists requiring sale in national security interest
Rubio provided no detailed justification or documentation for emergency designation to House Foreign Affairs Committee, despite statutory requirement to describe emergency circumstances and national security interests
Trump administration approved nearly $12B in major Foreign Military Sales to Israel since taking office in January 2025 - emergency authority historically used sparingly (handful of times over decades) now invoked regularly
Sale follows meetings between Rubio, Defense Secretary 
Pete Hegseth, and Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman - simultaneous announcement of $9B Saudi Patriot missile sale
Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian represents latest-generation attack helicopter - Israel modernizing attack helicopter force after Oct 7, 2023 lessons learned, replacing older Apache variants reaching upgrade limits
🌍Foreign Policy🏛️Government
People, bills, and sources
Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
Gregory Meeks
Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee (D-NY)
Pete Hegseth
Secretary of Defense
Khalid bin Salman
Saudi Defense Minister
Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Pentagon agency managing Foreign Military Sales
Boeing
Defense contractor
Lockheed Martin
Defense contractor
What you can do
1
civic action
Demand House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on statutory definition of emergency after State Department used Section 36(b) waiver three times in 2026
House Foreign Affairs Committee has constitutional authority over arms sales. Emergency authority abuse (three times in one year) requires hearing and legislation defining emergency standards.
Hello, I am [NAME], a constituent from [DISTRICT]. I am calling about Secretary of State Marco Rubio bypassing congressional review three times in 2026 for Israel weapons sales using Arms Export Control Act Section 36(b) emergency authority.
Key concerns:
- Jan 31: Rubio signed emergency authority for $6.67B sale without detailed justification
- Gregory Meeks received 1-hour notice, not 20-40 days traditional informal review
- No statutory definition of what constitutes emergency - waiver historically used sparingly (handful of times over decades), now three times in one year
Questions to ask:
- Will Representative support legislation requiring statutory definition of emergency and detailed justification?
- Will Representative demand hearing on why same emergency occurred three times in one year for same country?
Specific request: I am asking Representative [NAME] to demand hearing on emergency authority abuse and sponsor legislation requiring detailed justification for Section 36(b) waivers.
Question: What is Representative doing to restore congressional oversight of major arms transfers?
Thank you for your time.
2
civic action
Demand Senate Foreign Relations Committee investigate emergency authority pattern - three Section 36(b) waivers in one year for same recipient
Senate Foreign Relations Committee has constitutional oversight over arms sales. Pattern of emergency waivers (three in one year) requires investigation and legislative fix.
Hello, I am [NAME] from [STATE]. I am calling about Secretary of State Marco Rubio bypassing Senate Foreign Relations Committee to send Israel $6.67B in weapons on Jan 31, 2026 using emergency authority.
Key concerns:
- Third time in 2026 Rubio used Arms Export Control Act Section 36(b) emergency waiver for Israel
- Informal review process requires State Department notify top two Foreign Relations Committee members 20-40 days before public announcement
- No statutory definition of emergency - waiver historically rare, now regular practice
Questions to ask:
- Will Senator demand investigation of emergency authority pattern (three times in one year for same country)?
- What oversight mechanisms can Senate establish to prevent emergency authority abuse?
Specific request: I am asking Senator [NAME] to demand investigation of emergency waiver pattern and support legislation requiring detailed justification and congressional approval for Section 36(b) waivers.
Question: What is Senator doing to restore Foreign Relations Committee role in arms sale oversight?
Thank you for your time.
3
civic action
Contact Defense Security Cooperation Agency oversight body demanding transparency on emergency waiver justifications for major Foreign Military Sales
DSCA manages Foreign Military Sales notifications. FOIA request can force public disclosure of emergency justifications, creating transparency and accountability.
Hello, I am [NAME]. I am requesting public disclosure of emergency waiver justifications under Arms Export Control Act Section 36(b) for Israel weapons sales in 2026.
Key concerns:
- DSCA announced $6.67B Israel sale Jan 31 using third emergency waiver in 2026
- Arms Export Control Act requires President/Secretary describe emergency circumstances and national security interests
- No public documentation of detailed justifications for three emergency waivers in one year
Freedom of Information Act request: I am requesting all documentation of emergency justifications for Section 36(b) waivers in 2026, including:
- Detailed descriptions of emergency circumstances
- National security interests requiring immediate sales
- Internal communications regarding emergency designations
Question: Will DSCA provide public transparency on emergency waiver justifications?
Thank you for your time.