[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4259 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 507
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4259
To promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and
resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States
national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in
the Indo-Pacific Region.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 26, 2026
Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Kim, and Mr. Coons)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
July 27, 2026
Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and
resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States
national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in
the Indo-Pacific Region.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Blue Skies for Taiwan Act
of 2026''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The
term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations,
the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the
Budget, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the
Budget, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Blue uas.--The term ``Blue UAS'' refers to UAS
components and systems that comply with Defense Contract
Management Agency's Blue UAS program and its associated
list.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Taiwan is a longstanding and vital democratic
partner whose security is central to United States strategic
interests and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific
region.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The People's Republic of China (PRC) is
increasingly employing gray-zone tactics, including routine use
of unmanned aerial systems and other low-cost platforms, to
pressure Taiwan and undermine its security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) As set forth in the Taiwan Relations Act of
1979 (Public Law 96-8), it is United States policy to maintain
its capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of
coercion against Taiwan and provide Taiwan with arms of a
defensive nature.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) As set forth in the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience
Act (subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 117-263), it is the
sense of Congress that the United States should support
Taiwan's acquisition and employment of capabilities that
advance asymmetric strategies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The vast majority of commercially available
UAS contain PRC-sourced components, creating significant
cybersecurity, supply chain, and operational risks for both
Taiwan and the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Taiwan is well-positioned to develop and
produce UAS components and systems but faces challenges in
competing with PRC commercial companies, accessing capital, and
meeting United States certification and cybersecurity
requirements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) The United States should support UAS supply
chain development in Taiwan to strengthen Taiwan's asymmetric
defense posture and expand United States access to secure, PRC-
independent UAS components and systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) The Army Organic Industrial Base, including
its arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants, is undergoing
modernization to support emerging technologies and may provide
opportunities to support the testing and sustainment of
unmanned aerial systems and related components in coordination
with allies and partners.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. BLUE UAS WORKING GROUP.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a Blue UAS working
group, leveraging existing workstreams and expanding scope as needed,
inclusive of government, industry, and academic experts, to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) assess Taiwan's domestic drone production
capacity, including research and development, legal and
regulatory frameworks, testing, certification, and production
capacities for dual-use drones;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) evaluate opportunities for public-private
partnerships between the United States and Taiwan for co-
development and co-production of UAS systems and components,
including pilot programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) identify barriers to the inclusion of Taiwan-
manufactured components and systems manufactured in Blue UAS
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) identify regulatory, export-control, and
certification barriers that impede Taiwan's participation in
Blue UAS programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) provide recommendations to expand and improve
incorporation of Taiwanese suppliers into Blue UAS
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) identify specific UAS components or systems
that could be integrated into Blue UAS programs within 12 to 24
months;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) analyze opportunities and impediments to
including Taiwan in Replicator programs and similar
initiatives; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) assess opportunities for collaboration with
the Army Organic Industrial Base, including its arsenals,
depots, and ammunition plants, to support the testing,
evaluation, production, maintenance, and sustainment of Blue
UAS components and systems, including those co-developed or co-
produced with Taiwan.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three years, the
Working Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees
an unclassified report on its activities, including findings,
recommendations, timelines, resource needs, and potential funding
mechanisms, with a classified appendix as necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. COOPERATIVE FRAMEWORK WITH ALLIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a cooperative framework,
drawing on the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience
(PIPIR), among the United States, Taiwan, and regional allies and
global partners to promote secure, PRC-independent UAS supply chains
and enhance interoperability.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The cooperative framework shall include--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) support regional allies in the acquisition of
Blue UAS components or systems from Taiwan in lieu of PRC-
sourced components; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) fast-track Blue UAS certification for
components co-developed or co-produced by Taiwan and regional
allies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. FAST-TRACK CERTIFICATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a fast-track process for
Blue UAS companies in Taiwan to obtain Blue UAS
certification.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The fast-track certification process shall
include the following procedures:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Expedited export control reviews and licensing
for Taiwan drone and drone component manufacturers, including
streamlined technical reviews for components with no PRC-
connected subcomponents.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A fast-track certification procedure for
Taiwanese manufacturers, including reciprocal testing
arrangements or recognition of equivalent Taiwan cybersecurity
standards where appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Nothing in this Act shall be construed--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to alter United States policy towards Taiwan
as codified in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-
8); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) to alter the United States Government's
position with respect to the international status of
Taiwan.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the
Budget, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
on Armed Services, the Committee on the Budget, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Blue uas.--The term ``Blue UAS'' refers to UAS
components and systems that comply with Defense Contract
Management Agency's Blue UAS program and its associated list.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Taiwan is a longstanding and vital democratic partner
whose security is central to United States strategic interests
and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
(2) The People's Republic of China (PRC) is increasingly
employing gray-zone tactics, including routine use of unmanned
aerial systems and other low-cost platforms, to pressure Taiwan
and undermine its security.
(3) As set forth in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979
(Public Law 96-8), it is United States policy to maintain its
capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of
coercion against Taiwan and provide Taiwan with arms of a
defensive nature.
(4) As set forth in the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act
(subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 117-263), it is the
sense of Congress that the United States should support
Taiwan's acquisition and employment of capabilities that
advance asymmetric strategies.
(5) The vast majority of commercially available UAS contain
PRC-sourced components, creating significant cybersecurity,
supply chain, and operational risks for both Taiwan and the
United States.
(6) Taiwan is well-positioned to develop and produce UAS
components and systems but faces challenges in competing with
PRC commercial companies, accessing capital, and meeting United
States certification and cybersecurity requirements.
(7) The United States should support UAS supply chain
development in Taiwan to strengthen Taiwan's asymmetric defense
posture and expand United States access to secure, PRC-
independent UAS components and systems.
(8) The Army Organic Industrial Base, including its
arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants, is undergoing
modernization to support emerging technologies and may provide
opportunities to support the testing and sustainment of
unmanned aerial systems and related components in coordination
with allies and partners.
SEC. 4. BLUE UAS WORKING GROUP.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, shall establish a Blue UAS working group,
leveraging existing workstreams and expanding scope as needed,
inclusive of government, industry, and academic experts, to--
(1) assess Taiwan's domestic drone production capacity,
including research and development, legal and regulatory
frameworks, testing, certification, and production capacities
for dual-use drones;
(2) evaluate opportunities for public-private partnerships
between the United States and Taiwan for co-development and co-
production of UAS systems and components, including pilot
programs;
(3) identify barriers to the inclusion of Taiwan-
manufactured components and systems manufactured in Blue UAS
programs;
(4) identify regulatory, export-control, and certification
barriers that impede Taiwan's participation in Blue UAS
programs;
(5) provide recommendations to expand and improve
incorporation of Taiwanese suppliers into Blue UAS programs;
(6) identify specific UAS components or systems that could
be integrated into Blue UAS programs within 12 to 24 months;
(7) analyze opportunities and impediments to include Taiwan
in the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group and similar
initiatives;
(8) assess opportunities for collaboration with the Army
Organic Industrial Base, including its arsenals, depots, and
ammunition plants, to support the testing, evaluation,
production, maintenance, and sustainment of Blue UAS components
and systems, including those co-developed or co-produced with
Taiwan; and
(9) institute lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, in
consultation with the United States European Command (EUCOM)
and Ukrainian officials.
(b) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three years, the
Working Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees
an unclassified report on its activities, including findings,
recommendations, timelines, resource needs, and potential funding
mechanisms, with a classified appendix as necessary.
SEC. 5. COOPERATIVE FRAMEWORK WITH ALLIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, shall establish a cooperative framework, drawing
on the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR),
among the United States, Taiwan, and regional allies and global
partners to promote secure, PRC-independent UAS supply chains and
enhance interoperability.
(b) Elements.--The cooperative framework shall include--
(1) support regional allies in the acquisition of Blue UAS
components or systems from Taiwan in lieu of PRC-sourced
components; and
(2) fast-track Blue UAS certification for components co-
developed or co-produced by Taiwan and regional allies.
SEC. 6. FAST-TRACK CERTIFICATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, shall develop a fast-track process for Blue UAS
companies in Taiwan to obtain Blue UAS certification.
(b) Elements.--The fast-track certification process shall include
the following procedures:
(1) Expedited export control reviews and licensing for
Taiwan drone and drone component manufacturers, including
streamlined technical reviews for components with no PRC-
connected subcomponents.
(2) A fast-track certification procedure for Taiwanese
manufacturers, including reciprocal testing arrangements or
recognition of equivalent Taiwan cybersecurity standards where
appropriate.
SEC. 7. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed--
(1) to alter United States policy towards Taiwan as
codified in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-8);
(2) to alter the United States commitment to the One China
Policy, including commitments made in the Three United States-
China Communiques and the Six Assurances to Taiwan; or
(3) to alter the United States Government's position with
respect to the international status of Taiwan.
Calendar No. 507
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4259
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and
resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States
national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in
the Indo-Pacific Region.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 27, 2026
Reported with an amendment