# 119-s-4600: South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026

119-s-4600, South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status in_committee (as of 2026-09-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4600
- As of: 2026-09-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4600
- Congress: 119
- Title: South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2026-05-20
- Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-27

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT] (R-UT), 2026-05-20T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Funding plan for South China Sea strategy: benefit, low. 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 Hou…
- No change to One China Policy: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-4600 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4600)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4600 (as of 2026-09-27).