Bill Summary
The "Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act" (referred to as the "PORCUPINE Act") aims to amend the Arms Export Control Act to enhance military support for Taiwan. Key provisions include:
1. **Inclusion of Taiwan**: The act adds Taiwan to the list of countries eligible for expedited arms export processes, previously only applied to allies like New Zealand. This change aims to streamline certification and reporting requirements for arms sales to Taiwan.
2. **Expedited Licensing**: The act mandates the Secretary of State to assess the feasibility of an expedited licensing process for military equipment transfers from NATO allies and other key partners (like Japan and Australia) to Taiwan. This would help accelerate the delivery of defense items, enhancing Taiwan's military capabilities.
3. **Regular Reporting**: The Secretary of State is required to report to Congress every two years on the effectiveness of the amendments made by this act.
4. **Preservation of U.S. Policy**: The act explicitly states that it does not alter existing U.S. policy toward Taiwan as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act.
5. **Sunset Provision**: The act will expire seven years after its enactment, ensuring that its provisions are re-evaluated in the future.
Overall, this legislation seeks to strengthen Taiwan's defense posture amid regional security concerns by facilitating arms transfers from the U.S. and allied nations.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act" (PORCUPINE Act) could affect people:
1. **Increased Military Support for Taiwan**: By expediting the licensing process for military equipment transfers to Taiwan, the Act could enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities. This may lead to a greater sense of security among Taiwanese citizens, as they would potentially benefit from improved military resources in the face of regional threats. However, it could also escalate tensions in the region, particularly with China, which may impact the daily lives of individuals in Taiwan and surrounding areas due to heightened geopolitical instability.
2. **Impact on U.S. Allies and Defense Industry**: The Act includes provisions for expedited licensing for allies (such as NATO member countries, Japan, and Australia) when transferring military assets to Taiwan. This could lead to increased military cooperation and arms trade among these nations, potentially benefiting defense contractors and industries within these countries. For individuals employed in the defense sector, this may create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth within the military-industrial complex.
3. **Geopolitical Ramifications for Global Relations**: The legislation could alter the dynamics of U.S. relations with other countries in the region. For citizens of countries like China, there may be concerns about the implications of increased U.S. military support for Taiwan, possibly leading to diplomatic tensions or retaliatory measures. This could affect personal and economic relationships between people of different nations as governments navigate the resulting complexities of their foreign policies.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7146 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7146
To amend the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan among the list
of recipient countries with respect to which shorter certification and
reporting periods apply and to expedite licensing for allies
transferring military equipment to Taiwan, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 16, 2026
Mr. Wittman (for himself, Mr. Bera, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, and
Mr. Mackenzie) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan among the list
of recipient countries with respect to which shorter certification and
reporting periods apply and to expedite licensing for allies
transferring military equipment to Taiwan, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Our Regional Companions
Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act'' or the ``PORCUPINE
Act''.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER
THE ARMS EXPORT CONTROL ACT.
(a) In General.--The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3 (22 U.S.C. 2753)--
(A) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``Taiwan,''
before ``or the''; and
(B) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``or
New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan'';
(ii) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by striking
``or New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand,
or Taiwan''; and
(iii) in paragraph (5), by striking ``or
New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan'';
(2) in section 21 (22 U.S.C. 2761)--
(A) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ``or New
Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or Taiwan''; and
(B) in subsection (h)--
(i) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``or
Israel'' and inserting ``Israel, or Taiwan'';
and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or
Israel'' and inserting ``Israel, or Taiwan'';
(3) in section 36 (22 U.S.C. 2776)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the undesignated
matter following subparagraph (P), in the
second sentence, by striking ``or New Zealand''
and inserting ``New Zealand, or Taiwan'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or New
Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan''; and
(iii) in paragraph (6), in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``or
New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``or
New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan''; and
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking ``or New
Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan''; and
(C) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking ``or New
Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or Taiwan'';
(4) in section 62(c)(1) (22 U.S.C. 2796a(c)(1)), by
striking ``or New Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or
Taiwan''; and
(5) in section 63(a)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2796b(a)(2)), in the
matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``or New
Zealand'' and inserting ``New Zealand, or Taiwan''.
(b) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this section, and every two years thereafter, the
Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the
amendments made by this section.
SEC. 3. FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF EXPEDITED LICENSING FOR ALLIES
TRANSFERRING MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO TAIWAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall conduct an
assessment of the feasibility of establishing an expedited decision-
making process for third-party transfers of defense articles and
services from North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries,
Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, or Israel to
Taiwan, including transfers and re-transfers of United States-origin
grant, Foreign Military Sales, and Direct Commercial Sales end-items
not covered by an exemption under the International Traffic in Arms
Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(b) Elements.--The assessment required by subsection (a) shall
include an assessment of the following:
(1) The availability of such an expedited decision-making
process for classified and unclassified items.
(2) The feasibility of requiring--
(A) the approval, return, or denial of any
licensing application to export defense articles and
services that is related to a government-to-government
agreement within 15 days after the submission of such
application; and
(B) the completion of the review of all other
licensing requests not later than 30 days after the
submission of such application.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives with a briefing on the
outcome of the assessment required by subsection (a).
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to alter the policy of the
United States toward Taiwan as specified in the Taiwan Relations Act
(22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.).
SEC. 5. SUNSET.
This Act shall cease to have effect on the date that is 7 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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