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119-s-4259119th Congress

Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would promote development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems to strengthen U.S. national security and support Taiwan's defense in the Indo-Pacific. It centers on creating a PRC-independent Blue UAS supply chain through fast-track certification, expedited export-control reviews, and U.S.–Taiwan co-development with allied partners.

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  • Taiwan and manufacturers: The bill would require a Blue UAS Working Group to assess Taiwan's drone production capacity and barriers to participation. It would fast-track certification and licensing for Taiwanese makers, streamline technical reviews for parts without PRC-linked subcomponents, and identify components suitable for integration within 12 to 24 months.
  • U.S. defense and industry: The Working Group, chaired by the Secretary of State with Defense coordination and industry and academic input, would evaluate public–private partnerships and how to leverage the Army Organic Industrial Base for testing, production, maintenance, and sustainment. It must produce an unclassified report within one year and annual updates for three years, with a classified appendix if needed.
  • Allies, exports, and interoperability: The bill would create a cooperative framework via the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience to encourage regional allies to buy Taiwan-made Blue UAS parts. It would promote reciprocal testing, recognition of equivalent Taiwan cybersecurity standards where appropriate, and faster certification for co-developed systems.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Fast-track Taiwan drone certification

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to create a fast-track process for Taiwan manufacturers to get Blue drone certification. The process would speed export-control reviews and licensing and streamline technical checks for parts that have no PRC-connected subcomponents. It could allow reciprocal testing or recognize equivalent Taiwan cybersecurity standards to shorten certification timelines.

Help allies buy Taiwan drone parts

If enacted, the bill would direct the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to build a cooperative framework using the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience. The framework would push regional allies and partners to buy Taiwan-made Blue drone components or systems instead of PRC-sourced parts. It would also include steps to speed certification of components co-developed or co-produced by Taiwan and regional partners to improve interoperability and supply-chain resilience.

New Blue drone Working Group

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Defense, to set up a Blue drone Working Group within 180 days. The group would include government, industry, and university experts and study Taiwan's drone production, testing, certification, and legal frameworks. It would identify barriers and recommend Taiwan-made parts that could join U.S. Blue drone programs within 12 to 24 months. The group would send an unclassified report to Congress within one year and yearly for three years, with a classified appendix if needed.

Keeps U.S. Taiwan policy unchanged

If enacted, the bill would say that nothing in it changes U.S. policy toward Taiwan in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. It would also state it does not change the U.S. commitment to the One China policy as reflected in the Three U.S.–China Communiqués and the Six Assurances, nor the U.S. position on Taiwan's international status. This is a legal clarification for agencies and implementers.

Which drone parts count as Blue UAS

If enacted, the bill would define "Blue UAS" as drone components and systems that meet the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS program and its associated list. This tells suppliers which parts qualify for the new programs, certification fast-tracks, and procurement preferences described elsewhere in the bill. The definition helps some suppliers but creates clear compliance rules for those seeking Blue status.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 6/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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