WeVote
Log In

Bill

JC

Bill

HR 8820

Prohibit Deactivation of the ECABs Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Jeff Crank and 3 co-sponsors

Prohibits reducing ECABs' capabilities or personnel 2027–2031 unless the Army certifies recapitalization/restoration plans and funds modernization efforts.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8820

Summary of HR 8820 (Prohibit Deactivation of the ECABs Act of 2026)

Purpose and intent

  • HR 8820 aims to prohibit or restrict the deactivation of Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades (ECABs) within the Army. The bill seeks to ensure that ECABs are not retired, deactivated, or reduced in capability, resources, aircraft, or personnel for fiscal years 2027–2031 unless specific conditions are met. It also requires plans to recapitalize and restore any reductions and directs modernization efforts for ECAB aircraft.

Key provisions and changes

  • Limitation on funds (Section 2(a)):
    • For fiscal years 2027 through 2031, funds available to the Army may not be obligated or expended to retire, deactivate, schedule deactivation, or take other actions that would reduce ECABs’ capabilities, resources, aircraft, or personnel, unless the Secretary of the Army provides:
    • (1) A certification that the Army plans to recapitalize ECAB aircraft and restore reduced capabilities, resources, or personnel.
    • (2) A plan to implement the recapitalization and restoration described in (1).
  • Restore requirement (Section 2(b)):
    • For any ECAB that was retired or deactivated (or had its capabilities/resources/personnel reduced) prior to enactment, the Secretary of the Army must reinstate or reactivate the brigade, or restore it to pre-reduction levels, within one year of enactment.
    • The Secretary must also provide a report to the congressional defense committees within one year detailing implementation.
  • Plan to sustain and modernize (Section 2(c)):
    • Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of the Army must submit a plan to sustain and modernize ECAB aircraft to the congressional defense committees.
  • Funding authorization (Section 2(d)):
    • The bill authorizes $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of the Army for the operation and training of ECAB aircraft.
  • Definitions (Section 2(e)):
    • The term “congressional defense committees” is defined per the same terminology used in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.

Who or what would be affected

  • Army ECABs: The primary focus is on Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades in the U.S. Army.
  • Funding and program management: Limits on spending related to deactivation actions, and mandates for recapitalization, restoration, sustaining plans, and modernization plans.
  • Congressional oversight: Requires certification, plans, and annual reporting to the congressional defense committees.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: May 14, 2026, by Representatives Luttrell, with co-sponsors including Tran, Crank, Guthrie, and others.
  • Referral: House Committee on Armed Services.
  • Key deadlines:
    • Within 180 days after enactment: Secretary of the Army must submit a plan to sustain and modernize ECAB aircraft.
    • Within 1 year after enactment: Restore any ECABs that were retired/deactivated or reduced prior to enactment and submit a report detailing implementation.
  • Funding window: Authorization specifies $35 million for fiscal year 2027 for ECAB operations and training.
  • Enforcement mechanism: Uses a funding limitation approach—federal funds for 2027–2031 may not be used to reduce ECAB capabilities unless the required certifications and plans are provided.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill could constrain mid-term force reductions to ECABs, potentially preserving ECAB readiness and modernization, while explicitly tying such actions to Secretary of the Army certifications and plans.
  • It imposes concrete reporting requirements to Congress, increasing oversight of ECAB readiness and modernization efforts.
  • A relatively modest funding level is authorized for 2027, which may influence the pace of sustainment and modernization efforts, depending on overall Army budgeting priorities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.