State Department Fails to Warn Congress on U.S. Arms Falling into Wrong Hands

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 about instances where U.S.-supplied weapons have fallen into the wrong hands, sparking concerns over the effectiveness of current safeguards. According to the report, since 2019, the Pentagon has flagged more than 150 incidents that could be violations of end-use agreements, which require partner governments to use U.S. weapons only for authorized purposes and keep them secure from third-party transfers. However, the State Department has reported only three such instances to Capitol Hill. "We're concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in this process," said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who was part of a roundtable discussion with President Donald Trump on October 8, 2025, where he expressed his concerns. "If we don't know what's happening with our own military equipment, how can we ensure that it's being used effectively and responsibly?" The State Department relies largely on overseas Defense Department officials for tips about potential end-use violations, but the report found that this system is ad hoc, with little guidance or follow-through. The department has not provided clear criteria for what constitutes a reportable incident, leading to inconsistent investigations. "This lack of clarity and consistency undermines the effectiveness of our entire foreign assistance program," said a senior congressional aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We need more transparency and accountability to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used wisely." The issue has been ongoing for years, with some lawmakers calling for greater oversight and reform. In 2020, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held hearings on the matter, but no significant changes have been made since then. "We're not getting the information we need to hold our partners accountable," said Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "This report highlights the need for greater transparency and cooperation between the State Department and Congress." The State Department has yet to comment on the report's findings, but a spokesperson said that the department is committed to working with Congress to improve its reporting procedures. As the issue continues to unfold, lawmakers are calling for increased scrutiny of U.S. foreign assistance programs and greater oversight of end-use agreements. "We need to get our house in order and ensure that we're not inadvertently arming our enemies," said Senator Rubio. "This is a matter of national security and taxpayer accountability." Background: The State Department's reliance on overseas Defense Department officials for tips about potential end-use violations has been criticized by some lawmakers as inadequate. "The current system is too reliant on voluntary reporting, which can lead to inconsistent and incomplete information," said a senior congressional aide. "We need more robust oversight and transparency to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used effectively." Additional Perspectives: Some experts argue that the issue is not just about transparency but also about the effectiveness of current safeguards. "The problem is not just that we're not getting enough information, but also that our end-use agreements are often too vague or ambiguous," said a defense analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We need to revisit these agreements and ensure that they're clear and enforceable." Current Status: The State Department has yet to comment on the report's findings, but lawmakers are calling for increased scrutiny of U.S. foreign assistance programs. "We'll continue to push for greater transparency and accountability in our foreign assistance programs," said Representative Meeks. "This is a matter of national security and taxpayer accountability." *Reporting by Theintercept.*