A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Sustainment of Unmanned Systems, Total Force Aircraft Inventory, and National Guard Protection Act, or the SUSTAIN Act. It stops the Secretary of the Air Force from cutting, retiring, reducing, or transferring MQ-9 aircraft and their units. This protection covers the Air National Guard and applies until September 30, 2032. The bill allows exceptions if individual aircraft are unsafe or if a unit gets a new mission approved by the state governor and Congress. It also requires the Air Force to report on its plans to modernize the MQ-9 fleet.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation mandates reports and detailed plans from the Air Force regarding fleet recapitalization to congressional committees.
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill explicitly requires the approval of the applicable state governor for any mission conversion of an Air National Guard unit.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill protects defense jobs and unit capabilities, which supports military personnel and veterans transitioning into or working within the defense sector.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Air National Guard Units: Under Section 2(a)(1)(A), the bill prevents the reduction of MQ-9 aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard below current levels, which helps protect local military units and their operational roles.
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Preservation of Jobs and Personnel: Section 2(a)(3) stops reductions in the number of personnel assigned to operate and maintain MQ-9 aircraft if it hurts their capabilities, which helps protect jobs for the people serving in these units.
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Required Consultation with Guard Leadership: Section 2(d) requires the Secretary of the Air Force to consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the Air National Guard before making any changes or reductions to MQ-9 aircraft or units, ensuring the Guard has a voice.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Fleet Flexibility: Section 2(a) bans the Air Force from retiring, transferring, or reducing MQ-9 aircraft and units until September 30, 2032, which might limit the military's ability to quickly adapt its fleet to changing defense needs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation mandates reports and detailed plans from the Air Force regarding fleet recapitalization to congressional committees. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill explicitly requires the approval of the applicable state governor for any mission conversion of an Air National Guard unit.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill protects defense jobs and unit capabilities, which supports military personnel and veterans transitioning into or working within the defense sector.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill preserves personnel numbers and operational capabilities within the Air National Guard, indirectly benefiting military service members.
- 6/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan