Legis Daily

LEAD Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2387| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2025
Tom Cotton

Tom Cotton

Republican Senator

Arkansas

Cosponsors (3)
Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Leading Exports of Aerial Drones Act of 2025, aims to significantly alter the export control classification of specific unmanned aircraft systems. It mandates that certain reusable unmanned aircraft systems , currently listed under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex, be reclassified. The primary goal is to treat these "covered unmanned aircraft systems and items" as manned aircraft systems for export control purposes. Under the proposed changes, these UAS would no longer be considered launch vehicles, missile technology, or missile equipment subject to the stringent controls of the Missile Technology Control Regime . The President would be required to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) within 180 days to reflect this new classification. This includes subjecting covered UAS to the same export control provisions and review criteria as manned aircraft, while also establishing separate, specific export control provisions tailored to their unique characteristics. The bill explicitly states that the United States policy will be to treat these systems as manned aircraft for MTCR implementation, including for co-production and co-development agreements.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4157
LEAD Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3852
LEAD Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2679
LEAD Act of 2023
Jul 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4753
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4157
    LEAD Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3852
    LEAD Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2679
    LEAD Act of 2023


  • July 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4753
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4753: LEAD Act of 2025

LEAD Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2387| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2025
This bill, titled the Leading Exports of Aerial Drones Act of 2025, aims to significantly alter the export control classification of specific unmanned aircraft systems. It mandates that certain reusable unmanned aircraft systems , currently listed under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex, be reclassified. The primary goal is to treat these "covered unmanned aircraft systems and items" as manned aircraft systems for export control purposes. Under the proposed changes, these UAS would no longer be considered launch vehicles, missile technology, or missile equipment subject to the stringent controls of the Missile Technology Control Regime . The President would be required to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) within 180 days to reflect this new classification. This includes subjecting covered UAS to the same export control provisions and review criteria as manned aircraft, while also establishing separate, specific export control provisions tailored to their unique characteristics. The bill explicitly states that the United States policy will be to treat these systems as manned aircraft for MTCR implementation, including for co-production and co-development agreements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4157
LEAD Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3852
LEAD Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2679
LEAD Act of 2023
Jul 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4753
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4157
    LEAD Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3852
    LEAD Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2679
    LEAD Act of 2023


  • July 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4753
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Tom Cotton

Tom Cotton

Republican Senator

Arkansas

Cosponsors (3)
Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4753: LEAD Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted