This legislation would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce a report on how delays of U.S. weapons sales to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines affect the Department of Defense’s ability to build, posture, and sustain deterrence along the First Island Chain.
Bennet promises to require the Government Accountability Office to report on how delays of U.S. weapons sales to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines affect the Department of Defense’s ability to build, posture, and sustain deterrence along the First Island Chain.
Occurrences
Evidence
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Senator Pete Ricketts introduced the First Island Chain Deterrence Act. The release says the legislation would require GAO to produce a report on how delays of U.S. weapons sales to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines affect DoD's ability to build, posture, and sustain deterrence along the First Island Chain.
The bill text states that the Comptroller General 'shall submit' a report on the manner in which delays in U.S. weapons sales to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines affect the Department of Defense's ability to build, posture, and sustain a strong denial defense in the First Island Chain.
Assessments
Bennet sponsored and introduced the First Island Chain Deterrence Act in the Senate on March 26, 2026, and the bill text would require the GAO report described in the promise. However, available legislative status shows S. 4223 was only read twice and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; there is no evidence it has passed Congress or become law, so the GAO report requirement has not been enacted. This is a serious legislative attempt during the same federal Senate term, but the promised outcome is not delivered as of May 11, 2026.