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S 4259 Advanced toward a vote

Directs the State Department, working with the Defense Department, to set up a Blue UAS working group, a cooperative supply chain framework with Taiwan and allies, and a fast-track certification process that lets Taiwanese drone makers sell into U.S. defense programs.

Official title: Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026

Next stop Senate floor: awaiting a vote
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
Senate
Introduced 26-MAR-2026
Referred 26-MAR-2026
Approved by committee 17-JUN-2026
Reported 27-JUL-2026
On the calendar 27-JUL-2026
Key points
  • Requires the State Department, with the Defense Department, to establish a Blue UAS working group within 180 days to assess Taiwan's drone production and identify barriers to Taiwan-made components in Blue UAS programs
  • Requires the working group to report to the appropriate congressional committees within one year and annually for three years
  • Requires a cooperative framework among the United States, Taiwan, and regional allies to promote supply chains independent of PRC-sourced components, including fast-track Blue UAS certification for co-developed parts
  • Requires a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese manufacturers with expedited export control reviews and licensing, and states that nothing in the Act alters U.S. policy under the Taiwan Relations Act or the One China Policy
AI-generated from the Reported to Senate text of 27-JUL-2026 · verify · report an error
Official CRS summary

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Committee referrals (1) Policy area

International Affairs

Sponsor Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Cosponsors · 4
■ 2 R■ 2 D
2 Republicans