Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Ricketts Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote American Global Competitiveness in Tech

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan U.S. Technology Procurement and Access to Trusted Hardware Act (or U.S. Tech PATH Act), which aims to streamline the procurement of American cyber and digital technology by partner countries. This legislation would improve our ability to deliver U.S. cyber and digital technologies to foreign partners-boosting America's economy and our ability to compete with China.

The U.S. Tech PATH Act improves the U.S. government's capacity to respond to demand signals from foreign partners for U.S. cyber and digital technology. While programs have long existed for foreign partners to procure defense articles and related items, the United States needs a program for cyber and digital technology that can provide the same level of strategic guidance, program development, financing and long-term training and maintenance support. In addition to providing additional authorities and resources, this legislation would establish a U.S. Technology Procurement Program at the State Department to streamline the procurement of American and allied cyber and digital technology and establish enduring technology partnerships with foreign counterparts.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

"In the 21^st century, economic and national security is increasingly defined by a nation's ability to adopt and deploy cyber and related technologies," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "America's adversaries like China understand this, which means we need to think seriously about how we can deliver these capabilities to foreign partners seeking U.S. support. That's why I'm proud to introduce the bipartisan U.S. Tech PATH Act. This bill will improve U.S. government support to allied and partner nations seeking American cyber and digital technology while also promoting American technological competitiveness. Our competition with China is centered on our ability to develop and promote technologies of the future to our partners. This legislation sends a message to the world: the United States will compete on technology, and we can offer a better deal."

"Across the world, there is a clear demand from allies and partners for more access to U.S. technology," said Senator Ricketts. "Unlike Communist China, our technology is proven, reliable, and secure. The U.S. Tech PATH Act will promote the export of the full American AI tech stack and related critical infrastructure. This will reduce vulnerabilities from foreign adversaries and ensure U.S. and allied tech supremacy."

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Establish a "U.S. Technology Procurement Program": The bill establishes a State Department-led program to streamline the procurement of U.S. cyber and digital technologies by foreign allies and partners, consistent with U.S. export controls and cybersecurity standards. By providing a comprehensive package to participating foreign government partners, including consultative support, financial incentives and strategic planning, the program will establish long-term technology procurement partnerships between foreign partners and U.S. suppliers.
• Establish an Office of United States Technology Procurement: The bill requires the Secretary of State to either designate an existing office or establish a new office to implement the U.S. Technology Procurement Program. It also would require relevant staff and expertise for program oversight, monitoring and evaluation.
• Expand Technology and Related Expertise at Overseas Missions: The bill requires the Secretary of State to ensure that U.S. missions abroad in participating countries are staffed with the relevant experts in cyber and digital technologies.
• Extend the Regional Technology Officer Program: The bill reauthorizes the Regional Technology Officer (RTO) program at the Department of State for an additional five years and directs the Secretary of State to leverage the program to assist U.S. overseas missions in identifying foreign government partners to participate in the Technology Procurement Program.
• Preserve Market-Based Competition and Supports Small Businesses: The bill underscores support for market-based solutions to U.S. cyber and digital technology exports while ensuring that the U.S. Technology Procurement Program can support U.S. small businesses.
• Authorize $500 million over FY26-31: The bill authorizes $500 million in appropriations to the Cyberspace, Digital Connectivity, and Related Technologies (CDT) fund to support the implementation of the U.S. Technology Procurement Program.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet