Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
Secure a PRC-independent UAS supply chain and expand Taiwan’s drone industry. This bill would create a Blue UAS Working Group, speed certification and export reviews for Taiwan-based drone firms, and build allied cooperation to integrate Taiwan-made components.
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- Taiwan manufacturers: Would gain expedited export-control reviews and a fast-track certification pathway to sell Blue UAS components. The bill directs identifying specific components for integration within 12–24 months.
- U.S. defense and industrial base: Would explore testing, co-production, maintenance, and sustainment partnerships with Taiwan and the Army Organic Industrial Base to support resilient UAS capability.
- Regional allies and partners: Would get a cooperative framework to buy Taiwan-made Blue UAS parts and fast-tracked certification for co-developed components to reduce reliance on PRC-sourced parts.
- Oversight and timeline: Would require the Working Group within 180 days and an unclassified report to appropriate congressional committees within 1 year, plus annual reports for 3 years with a classified appendix as needed.
- Funding: Would authorize appropriations as necessary to carry out the bill but does not set specific dollar amounts.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expand Taiwan Drone Production and Certification
If enacted, the bill would create a Blue UAS Working Group within 180 days. The group would assess Taiwan's drone production, identify parts ready for integration in 12 to 24 months, and report to Congress within one year and then annually for three years. The bill would set up a cooperative framework, drawing on PIPIR, to help allies buy Taiwan-made, PRC-independent drone parts and fast-track certification for co-developed components. The Secretary of State and Defense would also develop expedited export-control reviews, streamlined technical checks, and possible reciprocal testing or recognition of Taiwan cybersecurity standards. The bill defines which congressional committees get reports and ties "Blue UAS" to the Defense Contract Management Agency list.
Authority to Fund Act Activities
If enacted, the bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the Act. Agencies could request funding to support programs, suppliers, and partners. Actual spending and payments to contractors would depend on later appropriations and allocation decisions.
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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov