S. 1744 – PORCUPINE Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM UTC

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to treat Taiwan like other close partners for faster certification and reporting on arms exports. It also directs the State Department to study how to speed up licensing for allied countries that transfer U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The changes affect U.S. arms exporters, foreign allies, and Taiwan.

Key Provisions

Adds Taiwan to the list of countries that qualify for shorter certification and reporting periods under the Arms Export Control Act.
Requires the Secretary of State to submit a report on the implementation of these amendments every two years.
Mandates a feasibility assessment, within 90 days, of creating an expedited licensing process for NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Israel when they transfer defense articles to Taiwan.
Specifies that the assessment should examine the ability to decide on classified items within 15 days and other licensing requests within 30 days.
Calls for a briefing to Congress on the assessment results within 180 days of enactment.
States that the Act does not change U.S. policy toward Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Includes a sunset provision that ends the Act’s effect seven years after enactment.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

8 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

December 15, 2025 • 4:19 PM

View full timeline

SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 13, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

May 13, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Foreign Relations Committee

October 22, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Foreign Relations Committee

October 30, 2025

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.

October 30, 2025

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8693; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8693)

December 11, 2025

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 15, 2025

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

December 15, 2025 • 4:06 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

December 15, 2025 • 4:19 PM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 1744 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. John ThuneR-SD · Dec 11, 2025

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 232, S. 1744. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported…

Bill Text

3 versions available

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Engrossed in SenateIssued December 11, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1744

AN ACT

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 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.

Passed the Senate December 11, 2025.

Secretary