H.R. 10697 aims to amend U.S. law to give Congress the authority to end exceptions that allow the military (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force) to be used for domestic law enforcement purposes, which is generally prohibited under the Posse Comitatus Act. This legislation seeks to reinforce the separation between military and civilian law enforcement roles.
H.R. 10697 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Patrick Ryan (Democrat) and is currently listed as “Introduced”. It is classified under the Armed Forces and National Security policy area, one of 305 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Patrick Ryan is the sponsor of 4 bills in our database this Congress, so H.R. 10697 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10697 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Armed Forces and National Security is 2.1/10.
Supporters of H.R. 10697 argue that the bill strengthens civil liberties and the principle of civilian control over the military. They believe it is essential to uphold the Posse Comitatus Act to prevent the military from being used inappropriately against U.S. citizens, thus promoting accountability and protecting democratic values.
Critics of H.R. 10697 contend that limiting military involvement in domestic issues could hinder effective responses to national emergencies or crises. Some argue that the exceptions currently in place are necessary for situations where local law enforcement is overwhelmed, and removing them could jeopardize public safety.
The analysis of H.R. 10697, sponsored by Patrick Ryan, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor's top donor industries. This indicates a low risk of conflicts of interest arising from financial contributions influencing the legislative process. The lack of overlapping interests suggests that the motivations behind the bill are less likely to be swayed by donor influence, as the primary industries supporting the sponsor do not relate to military or law enforcement matters. Voters should be aware that while financial contributions can sometimes create perceived conflicts, in this case, the absence of relevant donor industries mitigates that concern significantly.
Top industries funding Patrick Ryan, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does H.R. 10697 do?
H.R. 10697 aims to amend U.S. law to give Congress the authority to end exceptions that allow the military (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force) to be used for domestic law enforcement purposes, which is generally prohibited under the Posse Comitatus Act. This legislation seeks to reinforce the separation between military and civilian law enforcement roles.
Has H.R. 10697 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on H.R. 10697 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Introduced”.
Does H.R. 10697 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10697 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Armed Forces and National Security is 2.1/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of H.R. 10697?
H.R. 10697 is currently “Introduced” as of our last update on October 6, 2026.
Who sponsored H.R. 10697?
H.R. 10697 was sponsored by Patrick Ryan (Democrat).
