An act to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into certain agreements to further the readiness of the military forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Public Law 96-323 · H.R. 5580 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Aug 4, 1980 · International Affairs
Sponsor: Rep. Dan Daniel (D-VA-5)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mutual Support Act of 1979 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to acquire logistic support, supplies, and services for U.S. Armed Forces deployed in Europe from the other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. Permits the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary of State, to enter into cross-servicing agreements with any NATO country under which the United States will provide support, supplies, and services to military forces of such country and in return such country will provide the same to U.S. Armed Forces. Stipulates that such acquisitions and agreements are subject to: (1) the procurement provisions applicable to the U.S. Armed Forces; and (2) the availability of appropriations. Exempts such acquisitions and agreements from other specified statutory provisions.
Stipulates that the acquisition or transfer of such support, supplies, and services be on a reimbursement basis or by replacement-in-kind (including exchanges).
Directs the Secretary to negotiate for specified pricing principles for reciprocal application in agreements for the acquisition or transfer of support, supplies, and services on a reimbursement basis. Sets forth an alternative provision if the Secretary is unable to obtain a mutual acceptance of such pricing principles.
Requires direct payments to the supplier every three months by the recipient of such support, supplies, and services in order to liquidate any credits and liabilities accrued by the United States. Credits any receipts of the United States to the applicable appropriations, accounts, and funds of the Department of Defense. Sets ceilings on the total amount of liabilities and credit that may be accrued by the United States, except during a period of active hostilities involving NATO.
Prohibits increasing the inventories of supplies for the armed forces for the purpose of transferring supplies.
Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress concerning: (1) agreements entered into pursuant to this Act; and (2) the value of reimbursable and nonreimbursable acquisitions and transfers of support, services, and supplies.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 17 actions.
- Aug 4, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-323.
- Jul 28, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Jul 25, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Jul 21, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate.
- Jul 1, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Jun 2, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Armed Services Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Dec 5, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee
- Dec 3, 1979FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Nov 28, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Nov 13, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Armed Services Committee
- Oct 12, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Armed Services Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.