GUARD Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create a focused process to identify and manage the national security risk posed by communications equipment or services used with humanoid and quadruped robots, with quick timelines for agency review and possible addition to a federally published "covered list."
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- National security agencies would have 1 year to decide if specific covered robotics communications equipment or services present an unacceptable risk. If an agency finds a risk, the Commission must add the items to the covered list within 30 days. If agencies miss the 1-year deadline, the Commission would add all covered items by default.
- Manufacturers and foreign suppliers tied to "covered foreign entities" would face potential listing and restrictions if their humanoid or quadruped robots or control software are deemed risky. The bill defines covered robotics communications equipment or services as robots or software produced or provided by those foreign entities.
- The bill narrows scope by defining "humanoid or quadruped robot" as machines with 2 or 4 articulated limbs that can operate autonomously or semi-autonomously away from a human supervisor. It also exempts countries not designated as countries of concern, including NATO allies and Major Non-NATO Allies.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New review of foreign-made robots
If enacted, the bill would define which humanoid and quadruped robots and their control software count as covered equipment. It would treat items made or provided by companies tied to a "country of concern" as covered, including affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and tech-sharing or licensing partners. An appropriate national security agency would have 1 year to decide if covered items pose an unacceptable risk. If the agency finds a risk, the FCC would add the item to the covered list within 30 days and the agency would send an unclassified report to Congress (with a possible classified annex). If no agency decides in 1 year, the FCC would add all covered robotics equipment or services to the covered list by default. The bill would also say this section does not apply to countries not designated as countries of concern, including NATO allies and Major Non‑NATO Allies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
CA • R
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
OH • R
Sponsored 6/23/2026
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
FL • R
Sponsored 6/30/2026
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 7/9/2026
Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]
MI • R
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 9/8/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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