State Department Fails to Alert Congress on Lost or Stolen U.S. Weapons

State Department Fails to Inform Congress on U.S. Weapons Falling into Wrong Hands A new Government Accountability Office report has revealed that the State Department is not adequately informing Congress when U.S.-supplied weapons fall into the wrong hands, raising concerns about the effectiveness of end-use monitoring. According to the report, since 2019, the Pentagon has flagged more than 150 incidents that could be violations of the conditions under which the United States ships weapons overseas. However, the State Department has reported only three end-use violations to Capitol Hill during this period. The system is supposed to work as follows: when the U.S. ships weapons to partner governments, they promise to use them only for authorized purposes, keep them secure, and not transfer them to third parties. If these conditions are violated or if there are serious suspicions of such violations, the State Department is obligated to investigate and alert Congress. However, in practice, the system appears to be ad hoc, with little guidance or follow-through. The State Department largely relies on overseas Defense Department officials for tips about potential end-use violations, rather than conducting its own investigations. "We're concerned that the State Department's lack of transparency and accountability is putting our national security at risk," said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has been a vocal critic of the administration's handling of foreign aid. "We need to know when U.S.-supplied weapons are being used for unauthorized purposes or falling into the wrong hands." The report also found that the State Department does not have clear guidelines on what constitutes a reportable incident, and its investigations into end-use violations are inconsistent. "This is a classic case of bureaucratic inertia," said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We're doing our best to address these concerns, but it's a complex issue that requires a coordinated effort from multiple agencies." The State Department has defended its handling of the situation, saying that it takes all allegations of end-use violations seriously and is working to improve its monitoring and reporting procedures. "We understand the importance of transparency and accountability in this area," said a State Department spokesperson. "We're committed to working with Congress to address these concerns and ensure that our foreign aid programs are effective and responsible." The report's findings have sparked renewed calls for greater oversight and accountability in the administration's handling of foreign aid. The issue is expected to be taken up by lawmakers in the coming weeks, as they consider legislation aimed at improving end-use monitoring and reporting. As one congressional aide noted, "This is a critical issue that requires a bipartisan solution. We need to work together to ensure that our foreign aid programs are effective and responsible, and that we're not inadvertently arming our enemies." *Reporting by Theintercept.*