Aukus Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4233, the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act, or the ARMOR Act.

The ARMOR Act strengthens defense collaboration and trade among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which make up the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.

Since its inception in 2021, AUKUS has been key to our collective defense strategy, promoting cooperation on cutting-edge technologies like nuclear-powered submarines, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic systems.

Unfortunately, outdated export controls and bureaucratic hurdles currently hinder the efficient sharing of critical defense technologies among our trusted partners.

H.R. 4233 addresses these challenges by facilitating quicker, more secure transfers of defense materials while preserving critical protections for sensitive technologies.

Specifically, it expands the expedited licensing to include retransfers, removes the congressional notification requirement on certain AUKUS transfers, requires a report on implementation of expedited review for export licenses, and requires an annual review of the Excluded Technology List to ensure the list is relevant and aligned with AUKUS goals.

The Indo-Pacific faces growing challenges, and the unholy alliance is growing more brazen and aggressive. This week, Xi Jinping is hosting Iran, North Korea, Russia, and other hostile actors for a military parade. They are clearly sending a message to the United States and our allies that they are more united than ever.

Time is of the essence. We need to expedite the AUKUS partners' access to markets and make sure this defense pact is working as intended.

Bureaucratic delays to the AUKUS agreement undermine our ability to counter threats and to maintain technological and defense superiority.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to send a strong message to our adversaries and friends alike that the United States is serious about preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific with our allies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Foreign Arms Sales Task Force co-chairs, Representatives Zinke and Dean, for leading this bill with me.

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