Amo, McCaul Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Streamline of Defense Production for the United States and Allies

Washington, DC – TODAY, House Foreign Affairs Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-TX) introduced the AUKUS Improvement Act, legislation that would exempt entities already vetted by the State Department as AUKUS Authorized Users from the Third Party Transfer requirement for Foreign Military Sales. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would make it easier for companies to collaborate across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia to better counter rising threats in the Indo-Pacific.  

“Australia and the United Kingdom are steadfast, longstanding partners of the United States and critical allies in our mission to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI). “This smart, bipartisan, bicameral legislation will make it easier for our nation’s defense industrial bases to work together to build the next generation defense technologies needed to counter a rising China. I’m grateful to Chairman McCaul for his willingness to work across the aisle to get this done and to Senators Pete Ricketts and Tim Kaine for their leadership on this bill in the Senate. ”

"The Chinese Communist Party is working at lightning speed — in collaboration with its friends in Iran, Russia, and North Korea — to outpace the free world’s defense production base and shape the future of warfare,” said Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-TX). “The AUKUS security pact, which I prioritized as chairman, is working to ensure the U.S. and our allies maintain the edge. I’m proud to support the AUKUS Improvement Act to build on that momentum, deter CCP aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and help prevent a global catastrophe."

The legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), and Sarah McBride (D-DE).

Full text of the legislation is available here.

Background

The AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States was founded in 2021 to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

Currently, AUKUS Authorized Users must undergo additional, often slow, Third Party Transfer approvals, causing unnecessary delays to defense production. By removing this redundant step, the AUKUS Improvement Act will expedite collaboration and strengthen the efficiency of AUKUS.

Rhode Island’s First Congressional District is home to numerous manufacturers producing defense materials for the AUKUS partnership, including submarines and autonomous naval vessels. 

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