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H.R. 7146House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

PORCUPINE Act

Sponsored by Robert J. WittmanRep. Robert J. Wittman (R-VA)
Introduced January 16, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 10, 2026 at 10:21 AM UTC

The PORCUPINE Act would add Taiwan to the list of countries that receive faster certification and reporting requirements under the Arms Export Control Act. It also directs the State Department to study how to speed up licensing for allies that want to transfer U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan, and to report on the results. The changes affect U.S. arms export officials, allied nations, and Taiwan.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan alongside New Zealand and Israel for shorter certification and reporting periods on arms exports.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to assess, within 90 days, whether an expedited licensing process can be created for NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Israel when they transfer U.S.-origin defense articles to Taiwan.
  • Sets target timelines for the expedited process: 15 days for applications tied to government‑to‑government agreements and 30 days for other licensing requests.
  • Mandates a briefing to congressional committees within 180 days and a biennial report on the effectiveness of the new certification/reporting rules.
  • Includes a seven‑year sunset provision, after which the Act would expire.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

January 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

January 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 16, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7146

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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act or the PORCUPINE Act.

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.

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).

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.).

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.