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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the introduction of H.R. 9517, the bipartisan UNLOCK AUKUS Act, to strengthen the AUKUS security partnership by providing the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom greater flexibility to collaborate on advanced defense technologies while preserving critical national security safeguards.

The legislation builds on Huizenga's longstanding efforts to strengthen AUKUS and ensure America's closest allies can work together more effectively to meet evolving security challenges. By removing an outdated statutory restriction that no longer reflects today's strategic environment, the bill strengthens cooperation among trusted partners while maintaining strong protections for America's most sensitive defense technologies.

"As the Chinese Communist Party rapidly expands its military capabilities, the United States must ensure our closest allies can innovate and work alongside us without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The UNLOCK AUKUS Act strengthens one of the world's most important security partnerships, meets the security challenges of today, and delivers a force multiplier to the AUKUS partnership."

“AUKUS provides a once-in-a-lifetime security enhancement for all three nations. Pillar I is happening in real-time in the Indo-Pacific and in our shipyards, and Pillar II is making exciting new progress with the recent announcement of collaboration between the three nations on payloads for undersea unmanned vessels,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT). “Through the UNLOCK AUKUS Act, Congress is building on that announcement by streamlining further collaboration on advanced missile capabilities in Pillar II. I’m excited to partner with my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan and bicameral bill, which reaffirms the clear-eyed and stalwart commitment by both parties in Congress to make AUKUS a success.”

“Although the AUKUS Partnership has improved defense cooperation with our Australian and British allies through the production of advanced technology like the hypersonic weaponry being developed at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indiana’s Eighth District, we must do better,” said Congressman Mark Messmer (R-IN). “I am proud to support Rep. Huizenga’s UNLOCK AUKUS Act, which will continue these important efforts, while also removing bureaucratic red tape that is preventing America from reaching our highest potential in our national defense strategic game plan.” 

"Strengthening the AUKUS pact will keep Americans safe and strengthen our values-based alliances with the UK and Australia," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "The bipartisan, bicameral UNLOCK AUKUS Act unleashes the full power of AUKUS for collaboration on 21st century defense systems to protect against our adversaries in the Indo-Pacific, while providing good jobs and supporting American businesses."

"The Chinese Communist Party is working at lightning speed to advance its military apparatus, and it does not play fair,” said Congressman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). “The UNLOCK AUKUS Act empowers the United States and its allies to meet that generational challenge head-on by removing burdensome red tape that slows the transfer of critical military technologies. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill that will strengthen crucial partnerships like the AUKUS defense pact and deter the CCP's malign activity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond."

“The strength of our AUKUS partnership is critical to deterring an increasingly aggressive China and countering new, emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Pat Ryan (D-NY). “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would streamline collaboration with our partners and ensure we collectively maintain our technological edge. As co-chair of the House Defense Modernization Caucus, this is simple, smart bill to cut through red tape and accelerate innovation.”

Announced in 2021, AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom that is designed to deepen defense cooperation and promote stability throughout the Indo-Pacific. Pillar I focuses on Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Congressman Huizenga championed this provision, the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act, which was signed into law in December 2023. Pillar II accelerates cooperation on advanced capabilities including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, hypersonics, undersea technologies, and other emerging defense systems.

To support that mission, Congress previously established a streamlined export framework that allows many defense technologies to be shared more efficiently among the three nations. However, current law automatically excludes all technologies controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), even if there is intent to transfer such articles under AUKUS. The UNLOCK AUKUS Act removes that blanket statutory prohibition and instead allows the President to determine which technologies should remain excluded based on evolving national security considerations.

Huizenga introduced the legislation alongside Representatives Mark Messmer (R-IN), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Blake Moore (R-UT), and Gabe Amo (D-RI). The Senate companion is led by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).

The full text of the UNLOCK AUKUS Act is available here.