Rep. Sara Jacobs Introduces Bill to Overhaul U.S. Security Assistance

July 20, 2026 Rep. Sara Jacobs Introduces Bill to Overhaul U.S. Security Assistance Rep. Sara Jacobs introduced legislation today to reform the U.S. security assistance system that provides billions of dollars in weapons and training every year, without sufficient checks on whether the receiving military adequately governs itself. The Security Sector Governance Compacts Act would tie U.S. security assistance to the quality of a partner’s security sector governance, rewarding progress with greater support. The result is a more effective, reliable, and sustainable model for U.S. foreign security partnerships. Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Every gun the United States sends, and every soldier we train, is a decision that comes with lasting consequences for our country and the receiving military. When U.S. security assistance ends up in the wrong hands or is used to commit human rights abuses, our global reputation and relationships with local populations are at risk. That’s why I introduced legislation to overhaul the U.S. security assistance system to reward good governance with more advanced training and equipment. This new approach will create better outcomes and better partners and help make the world safer and more secure.” Dylan Williams, Vice President for Government Affairs, Center for International Policy Advocacy, said: “Far too often, U.S. military assistance undermines rather than advances human security when recipient countries misuse it to expand conflicts, harm civilians and violate international law. Representative Jacobs's bill sets out a strong framework to ensure countries with inadequate security sector governance safeguards and records are finally held accountable for such abuses of American support.” Liz Hume, Executive Director, Alliance for Peacebuilding said: “A record-breaking $2.7 trillion globally was spent on militaries in 2024, more than a 9 percent jump from the previous year—and the tenth consecutive year of growth. Meanwhile, over the last decade, funding and support for security sector reform dropped off considerably. Record military spending and assistance without governance security sector reform and accountability does not buy peace and security and can lead to serious unintended consequences including corruption, human rights abuses, and repression by security forces. The Alliance for Peacebuilding supports the Security Sector Governance Compacts Act because accountable good governance from partner governments is essential and much needed to reduce and prevent increasing global violent conflict.” The legislation is endorsed by the Center for International Policy Advocacy and Alliance for Peacebuilding. The bill text is here . Rep. Sara Jacobs has long worked to address how poor governance can fuel violent extremism and create blowback for the United States. In an op-ed for Foreign Policy , she argued that the U.S. approach to counterterrorism in Africa often relies on partnerships with military forces that commit human rights violations, fueling the violent extremism the U.S. aims to address, and should instead focus on good governance. ### Print Email Share Tweet