Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026

S. 4259 · Senate bill International Affairs

A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors

Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 507.

Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote

A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.

This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. On Calendar

What this bill would do

The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 aims to boost the production and use of secure Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to help United States national security and Taiwan's defense. It seeks to build a supply chain for drone components that does not rely on the People's Republic of China (PRC). The bill mandates the creation of a Blue UAS working group to assess Taiwan's production capacity and identify ways to integrate Taiwanese suppliers into Blue UAS programs. It also establishes a cooperative framework involving the United States, Taiwan, and regional allies to promote secure supply chains. Additionally, the act calls for a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese drone manufacturers.

Yes· 3 of 9

  • Scored +7

    Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?

    It strengthens the partnership between the US, Taiwan, and regional allies through a cooperative industrial framework.

  • Scored +6

    Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?

    The bill enhances UAS security by reducing reliance on PRC-sourced components which pose cybersecurity risks.

  • Scored +4

    Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?

    The bill utilizes a cooperative framework to increase regional strategic cooperation.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.