Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to seek to engage appropriate officials of Taiwan in a joint program with Taiwan to enable the fielding of uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed systems capabilities.
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of State, to try to engage with officials in Taiwan by March 1, 2026. The goal is to start a joint program for uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed systems capabilities, which includes co-developing and co-producing these tools for both the U.S. Armed Forces and Taiwan's military forces. The Secretary of Defense is allowed to use certain existing legal and statutory authorities to carry out this program. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense must submit reports to specific congressional committees starting 180 days after the bill's enactment and then annually through 2029. These reports will detail the program's engagements, activities, progress on defense trade agreements, and any extra resources or authorities needed.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
Strengthens the strategic partnership and military cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan.
- Scored +6
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
Requires active engagement and coordination between the State Department and Taiwan officials.
- Scored +5
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
Aims to finalize reciprocal defense procurement and security of supply agreements.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?
The bill focuses on expanding defense capabilities and co-production, which typically increases spending.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill mandates a new joint program and requests identification of additional resources.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill may require additional funding and resources to implement the joint program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 1(c): This section requires regular reports to Congress on the joint program and defense agreements, which helps hold our elected officials and the Department of Defense accountable by making them update Congress on their progress through 2029.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not explicitly mention any potential negative impacts, consequences, or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Strengthens the strategic partnership and military cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Requires active engagement and coordination between the State Department and Taiwan officials. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Aims to finalize reciprocal defense procurement and security of supply agreements. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill explicitly includes the finalization of a cyber maturity model certification. Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — The bill focuses on expanding defense capabilities and co-production, which typically increases spending.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Defense contractors and technology firms may benefit from co-production contracts. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Strengthens security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Would union members be better off under this? — Manufacturing of defense systems can support unionized industrial jobs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Co-development of uncrewed systems likely involves significant R&D and scientific research.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires annual reports to Congress on program progress and trade agreements. Does this give the federal government more power? — Directs the Secretary of Defense and State to execute a specific international program.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Co-production of defense systems likely increases jobs in the defense industrial base. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Defense trade agreements and co-production can stimulate economic activity in specific sectors. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill mandates a new joint program and requests identification of additional resources. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increases potential government expenditure without identifying a specific funding source. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill may require additional funding and resources to implement the joint program.
- 11/7/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana