# 119-s-4609: Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026

119-s-4609, Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status introduced (as of 2026-06-07).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4609
- As of: 2026-06-07
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4609
- Congress: 119
- Title: Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- 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: 2026-06-07

## Summary

**This bill would create a _DoD-led crisis management framework for the South China Sea_.** It would require the Secretary of Defense to identify likely flashpoints and produce crisis playbooks with sequenced response options, coordination plans, and cost‑benefit‑risk analyses to deny the aims of the People's Republic of China (PRC), protect U.S. citizens, and preserve trade routes. - U.S. Armed Forces would get phased playbooks for each major flashpoint with indicators, planning scenarios, decision points, and recommended Department options including force employment and changes to activities. Playbooks would be reviewed and validated on a recurring basis. - Diplomats and federal agencies would be required partners in playbook development, with coordinated diplomatic and economic options tied to military choices. The law would demand an engagement plan to pre-coordinate actions with key foreign partners. - U.S. citizens, residents, and commerce would be a named focus, with playbooks designed to ensure safety, protect key trade and commerce routes, and identify off‑ramps and de‑escalation opportunities; an interim report would be due 120 days after enactment and a plan aims to complete playbooks by March 2027.

## Cosponsors (1)

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

## Provisions PRIA read

- New crisis plans for South China Sea: benefit, high. This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to make a South China Sea crisis strategy and a playbook for each likely flashpoint. It would define "crisis" as events that might prompt committing U.S. forces or DoD resources. Each playbook would list warning indicators, at least one planning scen…

## 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-4609 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4609)

## 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-4609 (as of 2026-06-07).