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119-s-4600119th Congress

South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

In Committee

Summary

A U.S. diplomatic strategy for the South China Sea that would set clear objectives to protect freedom of navigation, press a rules-based approach to maritime disputes, and coordinate allies to counter unilateral PRC moves.

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  • Would require the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to submit within 180 days a Strategy for Diplomatic Engagement that designates lead offices, assesses existing programs and gaps, and may include a classified annex.
  • Would require the Secretary to identify programs, policies, and budgetary resources needed for implementation for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 within 360 days and to brief the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee within 30 days after that submission.
  • Would direct plans to deepen bilateral engagement with the littoral states — Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam — and to increase collective engagements, including Taiwan and other allies, on maritime law enforcement, crisis management, defense capacity, and economic resilience.
  • Includes a rule of construction preserving the U.S. One China Policy as guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.–PRC Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Funding plan for South China Sea strategy

This bill would require the Secretary of State to identify programs, policies, and budget resources needed to implement the strategy for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 not later than 360 days after enactment. The Secretary would have to brief the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs within 30 days after that submission. This is an administrative funding assessment and does not itself appropriate money.

No change to One China Policy

This bill would state that nothing in the Act may be construed as changing the United States' One China Policy. It would preserve the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.–PRC Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances as guiding authorities for that policy.

U.S. South China Sea strategy

This bill would state U.S. policy to support freedom of navigation, overflight, and open commerce in the South China Sea under international law. It would require the Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Defense, to submit a Strategy for Diplomatic Engagement on the South China Sea within 180 days of enactment. The strategy would name which State Department office leads each goal, analyze gaps in current engagement, and plan deeper bilateral and collective work with littoral states (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) and partners, including Taiwan, on security, maritime law enforcement, grey-zone tactics, dispute management, and crisis response. The strategy would be submitted in unclassified form and may include a classified annex.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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