To amend titles 18 and 10, United States Code, to provide for congressional authority to terminate exceptions authorized to the prohibition on the use of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force as posse comitatus, and for other purposes.
Gives Congress authority to end exceptions allowing the armed forces to serve as posse comitatus.
In five House committees since Oct. 1, 2026, 4 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal law limits when the armed forces can be used for domestic law enforcement. The bill would let Congress end exceptions to that restriction for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. The title does not specify how Congress would do so.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- FULL TEXT UNAVAILABLE Congress.gov has not posted the full bill text yet. The analysis is based on the title and metadata only and may miss substantive provisions.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Give Congress power to end exceptions
The title says the bill would amend federal law to let Congress terminate exceptions to the prohibition on using the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force as posse comitatus. It does not specify how Congress would exercise that authority.
The measure concerns who has authority over exceptions to limits on using the armed forces in domestic law enforcement. That could affect how those exceptions are controlled, although the bill's title does not describe the circumstances or process involved.
Written from the official record.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Ryan with 5 original cosponsorsReferred to Appropriations, Armed Services, Rules, Budget and Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeesOCT 1, 2026APPROPRIATIONS · ARMED SERVICES +3 NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 4 daysNo hearing yet
- 4 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Rules, Appropriations, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 4, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 4 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Ryan’s record: sponsored 23 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Christopher R. DeluzioD-PA-17ORIGINAL
- Maggie GoodlanderD-NH-2ORIGINAL
- Chrissy HoulahanD-PA-6ORIGINAL
- Jimmy PanettaD-CA-19ORIGINAL
- Eugene Simon VindmanD-VA-7ORIGINAL
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