This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning national defense, cybersecurity, weapons systems, military commitments, and the Army, Navy and Air Force. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2026-01-05 to 2026-01-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing: Embedded Threats in Transportation Systems: The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing entitled 'Embedded Threats: Foreign Ownership, Hidden Hardware, and Licensing Failures in America’s Transportation Systems' on January 21, 2026, at Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2141.

Federal Government News

White House Executive Order: Prioritizing Warfighter Needs in Defense Contracting

On January 7, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to prioritize the operational requirements of U.S. military personnel in defense contracting. The order prohibits contractors from engaging in stock buy-backs and dividends during periods of underperformance, imposes remediation processes, and ties executive compensation to contract performance measures. The Secretary of War is tasked with identifying non-performing contractors and may pursue remediation or enforcement actions, including contract revisions and application of the Defense Production Act. The SEC is encouraged to review regulations pertaining to stock buy-backs for defense sector entities. Contractors failing to resolve identified deficiencies may face suspension of international advocacy and other administrative enforcement measures.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House: Semiconductor Imports Tariff and Supply Chain Security Measures

President Trump directed, on January 14, 2026, a two-phased response to security risks linked to semiconductor and chip imports. The order mandates a 25% tariff on certain advanced computing chips unless supporting domestic technology supply chains, with exemptions for imports related to research, repairs, data centers, consumer applications, and public uses. The Secretary of Commerce will negotiate supply chain agreements and may expand tariffs or implement additional incentives as needed. The announcement cites ongoing monitoring and authority to adjust import controls in response to market conditions, aiming to reduce foreign dependencies for critical components in defense and national infrastructure.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Proclamation: Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals

President Trump issued a proclamation on January 14, 2026, in response to findings by the Secretary of Commerce that excessive reliance on foreign processed critical minerals (PCMDPs) constitutes a national security vulnerability. The Administration will negotiate agreements to solidify domestic supply chains and may impose import restrictions and minimum pricing if agreements are not achieved within 180 days or prove unsatisfactory. Relevant agencies are authorized to monitor import volumes and market conditions, with authority to recommend further actions to sustain defense infrastructure and economic stability.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DoD Information Collection Requirement: DFARS Quality Assurance

The Defense Acquisition Regulations System submitted a proposal to OMB on January 6, 2026, concerning Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 246, Quality Assurance. Several clauses—Notification of potential safety issues (252.246-7003), warranty tracking (252.246-7005, 252.246-7006), and electronic parts traceability (252.246-7008)—require reporting from over 62,000 respondents, totaling over 250,000 annual responses. The measures are designed to support cost reduction, risk management, warranty enforcement, and DoD readiness. Public comment is open until February 5, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DoD Information Collection Requirement: DFARS Cyber Incident Reporting and Cloud Computing

The Defense Acquisition Regulations System submitted, on January 14, 2026, a proposal for OMB clearance regarding information collection under DFARS clauses covering safeguarding of defense information, cyber incident reporting, and use of cloud computing. Contractors are subject to reporting requirements for cyber incidents (DFARS 252.204-7012, 252.204-7008, 252.239-7009, 252.239-7010). The proposal affects nearly 2,000 respondents and is designed to enable the DoD to analyze cyber threats and assess risks to defense infrastructure. Public comments are accepted via federal portals until January 14, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Public Safety Communications Act Moves Forward

H.R. 1519, the Public Safety Communications Act, was forwarded by the House Subcommittee to the full committee by voice vote. The bill involves the Science, Technology, and Communications Policy Area and would affect the regulatory framework governing public safety and communications infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• How war has reshaped Europe's defence sector: Observations on changes in European defense manufacturers following recent armed conflicts.
• Why Greenland Matters to U.S. Defense, in 7 Maps - WSJ: Maps detail Greenland's growing role in U.S. defense strategy.
• Opinion | The Making of a Chinese Military Superpower: Commentary on China's advancements in military technology and strategic power.

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