The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements and mandates a feasibility study for expediting military equipment transfers to Taiwan from key allies.
Robert Wittman
Representative
VA-1
The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.
The PORCUPINE Act: Fast-Tracking Tech and Defense for Taiwan with a 7-Year Expiry Date
The PORCUPINE Act is essentially a legislative tune-up designed to bring Taiwan into the same inner circle as our closest allies—think NATO members, Japan, and Israel—when it comes to buying and moving military equipment. By amending the Arms Export Control Act, the bill ensures Taiwan is included in the high-level reporting and certification processes that usually govern how the U.S. tracks weapon sales. Beyond the paperwork, it sets a ticking clock for the State Department to figure out how to cut through the red tape that currently slows down our allies if they want to send U.S.-made gear to Taiwan.
Upgrading the Status Quo
Under Section 2, the bill performs a series of 'find and replace' maneuvers in existing law. By inserting 'Taiwan' alongside countries like Australia and New Zealand in the Arms Export Control Act, the bill formalizes Taiwan’s role in the U.S. defense supply chain. For the average person, this might feel like high-level bureaucracy, but it effectively streamlines the oversight process. It means more frequent reports to Congress (every two years) on how these transfers are working, ensuring that as more equipment moves, there is a clear paper trail for where it’s going and who is paying for it.
Cutting the Red Tape
Section 3 is where things get practical for the defense industry and our international partners. The bill gives the Secretary of State 90 days to see if we can speed up the 'third-party transfer' process. Currently, if a country like Japan or South Korea wants to send U.S.-origin equipment to Taiwan, they often have to wait through a long licensing process. This bill explores a 'fast-pass' system: a 15-day window for government-to-government agreements and a 30-day cap for other licensing requests. If you’ve ever waited months for a simple building permit or a passport renewal, you can appreciate that a 15-day turnaround for international arms deals is lightning speed.
The Fine Print and the Sunset
To keep things from getting too radical, Section 4 clarifies that none of this changes the long-standing Taiwan Relations Act—the bedrock of U.S.-Taiwan policy since 1979. It’s a 'don't rock the boat' clause. Finally, Section 5 includes a 'sunset' provision, meaning the entire law automatically expires in seven years. This acts as a built-in safety valve, forcing Congress to re-evaluate whether these expedited rules are actually working or if the geopolitical landscape has shifted enough to require a different approach. It’s a rare piece of legislation that admits it might not need to last forever.