Tom Cotton (R-AR)
American Security Robotics Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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
The American Security Robotics Act of 2026 aims to prevent executive agencies from buying or using certain unmanned ground vehicle systems. These prohibited systems are those manufactured or assembled by a "covered foreign entity," which includes entities domiciled in or controlled by a "covered nation." The bill prohibits the procurement of these systems and prevents agencies from operating them or using federal funds for them. This ban applies to contracted services as well. However, specific agencies may be exempt if the use is in the national interest and meets strict purpose and security requirements.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill mitigates cybersecurity risks by preventing the use of unmanned ground systems that could transfer data to covered foreign entities.
- Scored +4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill protects against data transfers from unmanned ground vehicle systems to foreign-controlled entities.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill empowers executive agencies to restrict the procurement and operation of specific technologies for national security reasons.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The prohibition on federal procurement of certain unmanned systems may reduce contract opportunities for businesses tied to covered foreign entities.
- Scored -1
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill limits the types of autonomous patrol technology and remote surveillance vehicles that agencies can operate.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Security against foreign-controlled technology: By prohibiting the procurement of unmanned ground vehicle systems manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity, the bill seeks to restrict the use of technology from specific nations (Section 2(a)).
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Protection of national security data: The bill includes provisions that ensure any exempt unmanned ground vehicle system can no longer transfer or download data to or from a covered foreign entity, which helps mitigate cybersecurity risks (Section 2(e)(1)(B)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on agency operations: The bill prohibits executive agencies from operating covered unmanned ground vehicle systems, which includes remote surveillance vehicles, autonomous patrol technology, mobile robotics, or humanoid robots (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)).
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Limitations on federal funding use: Federal funds awarded through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements cannot be used for the procurement or operation of these specific systems after one year from the Act's enactment (Section 2(d)).
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 better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill mitigates cybersecurity risks by preventing the use of unmanned ground systems that could transfer data to covered foreign entities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill protects against data transfers from unmanned ground vehicle systems to foreign-controlled entities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The prohibition on federal procurement of certain unmanned systems may reduce contract opportunities for businesses tied to covered foreign entities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers executive agencies to restrict the procurement and operation of specific technologies for national security reasons.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill limits the types of autonomous patrol technology and remote surveillance vehicles that agencies can operate.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York