RISE Act

House Bill

H.R. 3939

119th Congress

RISE Act

In Committee

Introduced:Oct 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Gregory W. Meeks

Representative

Democratic

NY-5

Cosponsors

10

Quick Stats

Policy Area

International Affairs

Summary

This bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Defense to sell Australia up to two Virginia-class attack submarines as part of the AUKUS security partnership. It also allows the Navy to determine which shipyard in AUKUS countries can repair U.S. submarines, creates an account to accept payments from Australia for submarine security activities, and authorizes the President to provide defense services to help Australia develop its submarine industrial base.

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Defense to sell Australia up to two Virginia-class attack submarines as part of the AUKUS security partnership. It also allows the Navy to determine which shipyard in AUKUS countries can repair U.S. submarines, creates an account to accept payments from Australia for submarine security activities, and authorizes the President to provide defense services to help Australia develop its submarine industrial base.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

AUKUS Undersea Defense Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to sell Australia up to two Virginia-class attack submarines under the Australia-United Kingdom-United States security partnership agreement (AUKUS). The bill authorizes DOD to transfer the submarines from existing Navy inventories. The bill also <ul> <li>applies existing law to the transfer under this bill of special nuclear material related to submarine reactors, </li> <li>authorizes the Navy to determine the appropriate shipyard in any of the AUKUS countries for repair of U.S. Navy submarines, </li> <li>establishes a submarine security activities account to accept payments from Australia for non-nuclear related aspects of submarine security activities, and </li> <li>authorizes the President to transfer defense services to Australia to develop the Australian submarine industrial base for AUKUS activities.</li> </ul>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows the U.S. to sell up to two Virginia-class attack submarines to Australia under the AUKUS partnership.
Gives the U.S. Navy authority to determine which shipyards in AUKUS countries can repair U.S. submarines.
Establishes an account to accept payments from Australia for non-nuclear submarine security activities.
Authorizes the President to provide defense services to help Australia develop its submarine industrial base.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would strengthen military cooperation between the U.S., Australia, and the UK through the AUKUS partnership. It would provide Australia with advanced U.S. submarine technology and allow the U.S. and its allies to coordinate submarine repair and maintenance. This could enhance regional security and defense capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, but may also raise concerns about escalating military tensions in the region.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

International Affairs

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3939, 119th Congress (2025). "RISE Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3939