Truncating Onerous Regulations for Partners and Enhancing Deterrence Operations (TORPEDO) Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 May 2023): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
What this bill does
The TORPEDO Act of 2023 would streamline the transfer of certain U.S. defense equipment, technology, and services to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It aims to achieve this by requiring the Department of State to create an open general export license for these items among the designated countries. Additionally, the Department of Commerce would be directed to establish a license exception for specific controlled items to these partners.
This bill directly impacts the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom by facilitating defense trade and cooperation. It also proposes expanding the definition of "domestic source" under the Defense Production Act to include businesses in Australia, the U.K., and New Zealand, potentially making them eligible for incentives related to critical component production for U.S. national security.
S. 1471 was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2023, by Senator James Risch. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. As the bill has only been introduced, it must undergo further legislative steps, including committee review, potential amendments, and votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it could be sent to the President to be signed into law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Truncating Onerous Regulations for Partners and Enhancing Deterrence Operations (TORPEDO) Act of 2023
This bill facilitates the transfer of certain U.S. equipment, technology, and services to and between the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom (U.K.). For example, the bill
• requires the Department of State to initiate regulatory changes to establish an open general export license for the export, reexport, transfer, and retransfer of certain defense articles and services to or between designated individuals, entities, and facilities of the United States, Australia, Canada, and the U.K.;
• requires the Department of Commerce to initiate regulatory changes to establish a license exception for the export, reexport, and in-country transfer of items on the Commerce Control List to or between designated individuals and entities in Australia, Canada, and the U.K.;
• directs the State Department to compile a list of available and emerging military platforms, technologies, and equipment that are pre-cleared and prioritized for sale and release to Australia, Canada, and the U.K. through the Foreign Military Sales program; and
• requires the State Department to appoint a senior advisor to oversee implementation of the AUKUS agreement (a security partnership between Australia, the U.K., and the United States focused on the Indo-Pacific region).
The bill also expands the definition of domestic source under the Defense Production Act, thereby making certain businesses in Australia, the U.K., and New Zealand eligible for financial incentives to increase production of critical components, critical technology items, materials, and industrial resources needed for U.S. national security.
Timeline
4 May 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Common questions
- What does S. 1471 do?
- The TORPEDO Act of 2023 would streamline the transfer of certain U.S. defense equipment, technology, and services to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It aims to achieve this by requiring the Department of State to create an open general export license for these items among the designated countries. Additionally, the Department of Commerce would be directed to establish a license exception for specific controlled items to these partners. This bill directly impacts the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom by facilitating defense trade and cooperation. It also proposes expanding the definition of "domestic source" under the Defense Production Act to include businesses in Australia, the U.K., and New Zealand, potentially making them eligible for incentives related to critical component production for U.S. national security. S. 1471 was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2023, by Senator James Risch. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. As the bill has only been introduced, it must undergo further legislative steps, including committee review, potential amendments, and votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it could be sent to the President to be signed into law.
- Has S. 1471 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1471. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1471?
- S. 1471 was sponsored by Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (R-ID), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1471?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (4 May 2023).
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