American Security Robotics Act of 2026

This bill prohibits executive agencies from buying or operating certain unmanned ground vehicle systems made by foreign entities linked to covered nations, with exemptions for national security purposes. Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms including 'covered nation' (as in 10 U.S.C. 4872(f)), 'covered foreign entity' (domiciled in or controlled by a covered nation, or its subsidiary), 'covered unmanned ground vehicle system' (a system made by such an entity), 'executive agency' (as in 41 U.S.C. 133), and 'unmanned ground vehicle system' (a ground-moving device like a robot or surveillance vehicle that operates remotely, plus its payload and controls). Sec. 2, Prohibition on Procurement: Agency heads cannot buy any covered unmanned ground vehicle system, except as exempted. Sec. 2, Prohibition on Operation: One year after enactment, agencies cannot operate such systems, including those used via contract for services. Sec. 2, Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds: One year after enactment, no federal funds from contracts, grants, or other awards may be used to buy or operate these systems. Sec. 2, Exemption to Prohibitions: The heads of Homeland Security, Defense, State, and Justice may exempt themselves if the action is in the national interest and either for research, testing, counter-terrorism, or similar purposes, or if the system is modified to prevent data transfer to a covered foreign entity and poses no cybersecurity risk.