Reps. Horsford, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Senior Military Leadership Changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Don Bacon (R-NE) will introduce the Government Evaluation, Notification, and Explanation of Reassignments and Accountability with Leadership (GENERAL) Act on Tuesday, September 26. The bipartisan legislation would strengthen Congressional oversight of senior military leadership personnel decisions.

The legislation requires the Department of Defense to provide Congress with written notification within 15 days whenever a general or flag officer is involuntarily reassigned, separated, or retired. Each notification must include the rationale for the decision and a summary of the process that led to the action.

“Civilian control of the military is a cornerstone of our democracy,” Rep. Horsford said. “When senior leaders are reassigned or removed, Congress and the American people deserve transparency. The GENERAL Act strengthens accountability, ensure that decisions about our military’s top leaders are based on merit and mission, deters politicization, and upholds the integrity of our military.”

“Leadership changes at the highest levels of our military have far-reaching consequences for our servicemembers and our national security,” Rep. Bacon said. “Having served as an Air Force general, I know firsthand that nothing undermines our mission readiness faster than uncertainty in leadership. The President has the authority to make these personnel decisions, but Congress also has the authority to get answers for the reasons behind those decisions. The GENERAL Act is a bipartisan effort to strengthen transparency, uphold civilian oversight, and keep faith with the men and women who serve.”

The GENERAL Act already has bipartisan support from members of the Problem Solvers Caucus and the For Country Caucus. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) are original cosponsors.

The introduction comes at a time of significant transition in senior military leadership, following a series of high-profile changes this year and ahead of an unprecedented gathering of several hundred general and flag officers at Quantico, Virginia, called by the Secretary of Defense. While gatherings of senior leaders are routine, the unusual scale and timing of this event, combined with the recent wave of senior leadership changes, have highlighted the need for continued transparency and clear processes to sustain confidence in civilian oversight of the military.