119-HR-8019 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 8019 U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act
A bipartisan House bill would authorize $1.8 million per year from FY2027–FY2031 for U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) with Greece to build officer-to-officer ties, improve interoperability, and emphasize professional military education and human rights; it was taken up in a May 13, 2026 House Foreign Affairs Committee markup and is a next step toward potential House floor consideration. (docs.house.gov)
Headline Summary
Bipartisan bill to fund U.S. military education and training for Greece—$1.8 million annually for five years—aimed at strengthening NATO-ally cooperation and professional standards through the IMET program. (docs.house.gov)
What It Does
H.R. 8019 authorizes the President to provide International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Greece for FY2027–FY2031. The bill’s stated purposes include training future leaders, deepening understanding of the United States, building rapport with U.S. forces, enhancing interoperability for joint operations, and focusing on professional military education, civilian control of the military, and human rights. It authorizes $1.8 million per year to carry this out. (docs.house.gov)
IMET is a long‑running U.S. program that funds training of foreign military personnel at U.S. defense schools to build partnerships, improve professionalism, and support interoperability. (dsca.mil)
Who’s For It
- Sponsors and co-leads: Reps. Chris Pappas (D‑NH), Gus Bilirakis (R‑FL), Dina Titus (D‑NV), and Nicole Malliotakis (R‑NY), leaders of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, say the bill strengthens the U.S.–Greece defense relationship and supports a key NATO ally. (pappas.house.gov)
- Backers note continuity: a 2021 law supported IMET for Greece (FY2022–FY2026), and this proposal extends that cooperation for another five years. (foreign.senate.gov)
Who’s Against It
- No prominent, organized opposition specific to this narrow authorization has been widely documented as of mid‑May 2026, but critics of IMET in general argue the program’s benefits should be weighed against risks of empowering foreign militaries unless coursework and vetting strongly emphasize human rights and civilian control. (cfr.org)
What’s Next
The bill was included on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s May 13, 2026 full‑committee markup agenda, with amendments filed; after committee action, the next step would be consideration by the full House, followed by the Senate if it passes. (foreignaffairs.house.gov)
Discussion