The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on June 11. Its summary of the bill includes the provision for a Department of Defense war stockpile for Taiwan. It also requires a review of how delays in arms sales to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Philippines affect defense capability in the First Island Chain.

Additionally, the committee's summary detailed that the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) will be renamed the First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative (FICSCI) and allow the Philippines assistance under this authorization. The FICSCI will also be extended to 2032.

The House Armed Services Committee passed the 2027 NDAA last week, which includes up to US$1 billion in funding for the FICSCI to assist Taiwan's self-defense; other provisions include concerns about the resilience of communications between the U.S. and Taiwan, requiring the Defense Secretary to submit a report to Congress.

The House and Senate must reconcile their versions of the NDAA and pass a final approval before it can be sent to the president for signature.