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.

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Dates: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing on Missile Defense Activities: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces will hold a hearing on April 27, 2026, to examine Department of Defense missile defense activities as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Defense Authorization review.

Federal Government News

Presidential Determination on Grid Infrastructure and Supply Chain Capacity

On April 20, 2026, the President issued a determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. electric grid. The action identifies transformers, transmission lines, substations, and related materials as critical to national defense, citing limited domestic production and reliance on foreign suppliers as risks. The determination authorizes purchases, financial support, and waivers of regulatory requirements to boost U.S. production and supply chain capacity. The Secretary of Energy was directed to implement these measures and publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Determination on Large-Scale Energy Infrastructure

President Trump issued a determination under the Defense Production Act authorizing action to strengthen the development, manufacturing, and deployment of large-scale energy and energy-related infrastructure. The determination classifies energy facilities and associated infrastructure as vital to national defense, noting that delays from regulatory, financing, and market barriers prevent timely response to national needs. The Secretary of Energy was instructed to take measures including purchases and financial support, with certain regulatory requirements waived to expedite expansion of domestic capabilities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Determination on Air Force Jet Fighter Training Operations

President Trump signed a determination exempting Air Force jet fighter training operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from Clean Water Act regulations under section 313. The exemption applies for one year beginning April 20, 2026, excluding requirements under sections 1316 and 1317 of the statute. This move aims to remove regulatory barriers impacting pilot training and readiness at these installations, while maintaining compliance with stringent federal standards. The Secretary of the Air Force is directed to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Determination on Domestic Petroleum Production and Logistics

A presidential memorandum issued April 20, 2026, authorizes the Secretary of Energy to take action under the Defense Production Act to expand domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity. The memorandum identifies petroleum infrastructure as essential to national defense, attributing slow industry response to financing, permitting, and supply chain bottlenecks. Actions include purchases, financial arrangements, and waivers of regulatory constraints to expedite expansion. The Secretary of Energy is instructed to implement these measures and publish the determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Final Affirmative Determination on Sales of Chassis and Subassemblies from Vietnam

On April 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce found that certain chassis and subassemblies imported from Vietnam were sold in the United States at less than fair value during the investigation period July–December 2024. The weighted-average dumping margin for Thaco Special Vehicles Manufacturing Limited Company and the Vietnam-wide entity was 186.84%. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will suspend liquidation of relevant imports and maintain cash deposits, pending a final determination by the International Trade Commission on material injury to the domestic industry.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Multiyear Procurement Authority for F-35 and F-15EX Aircraft

Senate Bill 4374, introduced April 22, 2026, would permit the Secretary of Defense to enter multiyear contracts for procurement of F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Pilot Program for Retention of Experienced Air Force Fighter Aircrew

Senate Bill 4373 aims to establish a pilot program to retain experienced regular Air Force fighter aircrew. The measure was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Authority for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Critical Infrastructure

Senate Bill 4380 would grant private owners of critical infrastructure facilities the authority to deploy counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies. The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Authorization for Actions Protecting Facilities From Unmanned Aircraft

House Bill 8458 proposes amendments to title 51, United States Code, authorizing protective actions against unmanned aircraft at certain facilities and assets. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Limitation on Authorization for Use of Military Force Beyond Five Years

House Bill 8434 would prohibit military force authorizations exceeding five years or unspecified durations from qualifying for congressional priority procedures. The bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Rules for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Texas Strengthens Partnership with SBA and Trump Administration

Governor Greg Abbott met with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler to promote Texas' defense, manufacturing, and technology sectors, highlighting regulatory reforms and constitutional amendments supporting business growth.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Japan opens door to global arms market with biggest export rule change in decades: Japan’s new policy expands defense exports after decades of restrictions.
• France, Poland boost defence ties with military satellite project: France and Poland advance a new military satellite joint venture.
• Navy arming warships with Patriot missiles to counter China's hypersonic threat: U.S. Navy deploys Patriot missiles aboard warships to address China’s evolving hypersonic missile threat.
• Opinion | Private sales of defense systems are needed to protect against drones: Editorial discusses private defense system sales in response to drone risks for critical infrastructure.
• Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules: Japan revises export rules, allowing wider sales of defense platforms internationally.
• US Space Force taps 12 firms for $3.2 billion Golden Dome missile defense contracts: The U.S. Space Force awards $3.2 billion in missile defense contracts to twelve firms.
• US approves potential $200 million sale of Hellfire missiles to the Netherlands: The U.S. State Department clears a possible $200M Hellfire missile sale to the Netherlands.
• Finland to spend 3.2% of GDP on defence by 2030 despite austerity: Finland commits to allocating 3.2% of GDP to defense by 2030 amid budgetary restraints.
• EU to prepare blueprint for mutual assistance pact, amid NATO doubts: EU considers a mutual assistance plan as uncertainty grows over NATO’s future.
• Thales first-quarter sales jump nearly 10% as defence deliveries surge: Thales reports a 10% rise in Q1 sales, reflecting strong demand for defense products.

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