Limitation on availability of funds for the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq

(a) Limitation on obligation of funds Not more than 50 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a certification that the Government of Iraq has taken credible steps— (1) to reduce the operational capacity of Iran-aligned militia groups not integrated into the Iraqi Security Forces through a publicly verifiable disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process; (2) to strengthen the authority and operational control of the Prime Minister of Iraq as Commander-in-Chief over the Iraqi Security Forces; and (3) to investigate and hold accountable members of militias or members of security forces operating outside the formal chain of command of the Iraqi Security Forces who engage in attacks on United States or Iraqi personnel or otherwise act in an illegal or destabilizing manner. (b) Waiver The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation in subsection (a) for a period of not more than 180 days if the Secretary determines that such waiver is in the national security interest of the United States. Any such waiver shall be submitted in writing to the congressional defense committees not later than 15 days after issuance, along with a justification and a description of the steps being taken to achieve the objectives described in subsection (a).

(a) Limitation on obligation of funds Not more than 50 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a certification that the Government of Iraq has taken credible steps— (1) to reduce the operational capacity of Iran-aligned militia groups not integrated into the Iraqi Security Forces through a publicly verifiable disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process; (2) to strengthen the authority and operational control of the Prime Minister of Iraq as Commander-in-Chief over the Iraqi Security Forces; and (3) to investigate and hold accountable members of militias or members of security forces operating outside the formal chain of command of the Iraqi Security Forces who engage in attacks on United States or Iraqi personnel or otherwise act in an illegal or destabilizing manner. (b) Waiver The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation in subsection (a) for a period of not more than 180 days if the Secretary determines that such waiver is in the national security interest of the United States. Any such waiver shall be submitted in writing to the congressional defense committees not later than 15 days after issuance, along with a justification and a description of the steps being taken to achieve the objectives described in subsection (a).