PORCUPINE Act

The PORCUPINE Act would modify federal law governing military equipment exports to speed up the process for selling weapons to Taiwan. Currently, the U.S. has expedited approval procedures for military sales to NATO countries and close allies like Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. This bill would extend those same faster procedures to Taiwan, reducing the time Congress needs to review proposed sales and raising the dollar thresholds before formal notification is required. The bill would also require the Secretary of State to study whether allied countries can more quickly transfer U.S.-made military equipment to Taiwan.

Proponents argue the bill would help Taiwan better defend itself against military pressure from China. The bill does not change the overall U.S. policy toward Taiwan as established in the Taiwan Relations Act. If enacted, the bill would automatically expire seven years after becoming law, requiring Congress to reconsider the policy in the future. The bill is currently in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.