PRIA Logo™
119-s-3979119th Congress

Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

Introduced

Summary

Expanded civilian space cooperation with Taiwan is the bill's central aim. The bill would direct NASA, with the State Department's agreement and coordinating through the Commerce Department and NOAA, to seek partnerships on satellites, space exploration, and atmospheric and weather programs while protecting sensitive information, intellectual property, and U.S. economic interests and following the Taiwan Relations Act and applicable export rules.

Show full summary
  • U.S. agencies: NASA and NOAA would have 90 days to begin seeking engagement with Taiwan to identify and pursue joint satellite, exploration, and weather initiatives. They could also set up personnel exchanges between agency staff and the Taiwan Space Agency.
  • Taiwan and industry: The Taiwan Space Agency and U.S. commercial partners could cooperate on commercial space activities and atmospheric and weather technology and services. This would create pathways for shared projects and technology collaboration.
  • Oversight and reporting: NASA, NOAA, and the Secretary of State would file a joint report within 180 days and then annually for five years describing activities, challenges, and steps taken to expand cooperation.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More civilian space cooperation with Taiwan

If enacted, the bill would direct NASA, with the Secretary of State's concurrence and in coordination with the Commerce Department (through NOAA), to seek to expand civilian space cooperation with Taiwan within 90 days. The agencies would be able to pursue satellite programs, space exploration, atmospheric and weather programs, personnel exchanges with the Taiwan Space Agency, and commercial space and weather technology activities. All cooperation would have to follow the Taiwan Relations Act, comply with export controls, and protect sensitive information, trade secrets, intellectual property, and U.S. economic interests. The agencies would file a joint report 180 days after enactment and annually for five years to key congressional committees (House Science and Foreign Affairs; Senate Commerce and Foreign Relations). The bill does not provide new funding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

MO • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation