AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2130
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

ID: R000618

Follow the money

The bill

AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025

S. 2130, 119th Congress — read as touching Defense Contractors.

The sponsor

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$87,634 raised

26 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 235.

October 29, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025 is a cleverly crafted bill that claims to "improve" the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to grease the wheels for more lucrative arms deals and bolster the military-industrial complex.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill makes two primary changes:

1. **Exemption from Certain Requirements:** Section 2 of the bill creates an exemption for defense articles sold under this act, allowing them to be reexported, retransferred, or temporarily imported between Australia, the United Kingdom, and eligible entities without requiring presidential consent. 2. **Elimination of Certification Requirement:** Section 3 eliminates the certification requirement for commercial technical assistance or manufacturing license agreements involving Australia and the United Kingdom.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:

* The defense industry ( Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.) will reap the benefits of increased arms sales. * The governments of Australia and the United Kingdom will gain easier access to US-made defense articles. * Congressional sponsors and their donors will enjoy a nice return on investment.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a symptom of a deeper disease – the insatiable hunger for military spending and the revolving door between government and industry. By streamlining arms exports, this act will:

* Increase the risk of proliferation and misuse of sensitive technologies. * Further entrench the US in a cycle of militarism and interventionism. * Enrich defense contractors at the expense of taxpayers.

In conclusion, the AUKUS Improvement Act is a masterclass in legislative doublespeak. It's a bill that claims to promote cooperation but actually serves the interests of the military-industrial complex. As with most congressional bills, it's a case of "follow the money" – and the money leads straight to the pockets of defense contractors and their cronies on Capitol Hill.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

Related Topics

Defense Spending & Procurement
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$87,634
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$6,734
Committees
$0
Individuals
$80,900

No PAC contributions found

1
SPIKE OCOTILLO LLC
1 transaction
$2,500
2
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
1 transaction
$1,000
3
KING & SPALDING LLP
1 transaction
$1,000
4
GREENBERG TRAURIG
1 transaction
$1,000
5
H.A. TRUE, III
1 transaction
$1,000
6
DELTA AIRLINES
1 transaction
$234

No committee contributions found

1
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
1 transaction
$6,600
2
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
1 transaction
$6,600
3
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
1 transaction
$6,600
4
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
1 transaction
$6,600
5
CASSLING, ELIZABETH
2 transactions
$6,600
6
CASSLING, MICHAEL
2 transactions
$6,600
7
SINGER, PAUL
2 transactions
$6,600
8
BECKER, AMY
2 transactions
$6,600
9
DESTEFANO, JOHN
1 transaction
$5,000
10
BARTLETT, BRUCE
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BETTGER, RICHARD
1 transaction
$3,300
12
CASTELLINI, ROBERT
1 transaction
$3,300
13
DAVIS, ASHLEY
1 transaction
$3,300
14
BALDWIN, JACK
1 transaction
$3,300
15
BAYER, MATT
1 transaction
$3,300
16
BECKER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

ID: K000384

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,300
Jun 18, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 26, 2023
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
6
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$1,000
Oct 15, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 29, 2023
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Oct 25, 2023
9
STONEHALL FARM
OrganizationTHE PLAINS, VA
$500
Jun 30, 2024
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Oct 25, 2023

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

ID: C001056

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
COMARLINGTON, VA
$47
Jul 10, 2024
2
WEEKLEY, RICHARD W
WEEKLEY PROPERTIESREAL ESTATE BROKER/DEVELOPER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$100,000
Dec 27, 2023
3
MCINGVALE, JAMES F
GALLERY FURNITUREOWNER/OPERATOR
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
4
MCINGVALE, LINDA
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
5
DUNN, TIMOTHY
CROWN QUEST OPERATINGEXECUTIVE
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$45,000
Apr 4, 2023
6
MARTIN, KIMBERLY R
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$20,000
Mar 13, 2023
7
BLAINE, JAY C.
N/AN/A
IndividualROCKWALL, TX
$16,478
Oct 11, 2024
8
THOMPSON, JERE W. MR. JR.
AMBIT ENERGYCEO
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$13,200
Mar 15, 2023
9
MIDDLETON, MAYES
MIDDLETON OIL COOIL AND GAS
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$12,500
Jan 7, 2023
10
MIDDLETON, MACEY
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$12,500
Jan 7, 2023

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

ID: C001088

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,700
Dec 27, 2023
3
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
4
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLPATTORNEY
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
5
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
6
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMANCEO
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIESCEO
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
8
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMANCEO
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
9
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIESCEO
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
10
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLPATTORNEY
IndividualPACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024

Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

ID: F000463

Top Contributors

10

1
REPUBLICAN MAIN STREET PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$3,000
Jun 19, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
3
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$2,500
Nov 1, 2024
4
JTM CONSULTING LLC
OrganizationSAN ANTONIO, TX
$1,000
Mar 17, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 7, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Apr 29, 2024
7
ERROTABERE RANCHES
OrganizationRIVERDALE, CA
$500
May 10, 2024
8
BRAUER, BLACKFORD
HUNTER ENGINEERINGPRESIDENT
IndividualBRIDGETON, MO
$6,600
Sep 27, 2023
9
ERGEN, CANTEY
DISH NETWORKSENIOR ADVISOR
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$6,600
Dec 31, 2023
10
ERGEN, CHARLES
DISH NETWORKCHAIRMAN
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$6,600
Dec 31, 2023

Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

ID: M001169

Top Contributors

10

1
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION
OrganizationMASHANTUCKET, CT
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
2
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
OrganizationTAMA, IA
$2,500
Nov 5, 2024
3
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT
OrganizationUNCASVILLE, CT
$2,000
Mar 30, 2023
4
MORRILL, WILLIAM
NOT EMPLOYEDRETIRED
IndividualSALISBURY, CT
$13,200
Feb 15, 2023
5
REIMERS, LINDSAY
NONENONE
IndividualDENVER, CO
$13,200
Feb 27, 2023
6
COGUT, ELLEN FAYE
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSOUTH KENT, CT
$10,200
Feb 15, 2023
7
CANFIELD, JOHN
BLUEARC.AICOFOUNDER & CEO
IndividualSAN CARLOS, CA
$6,600
Oct 30, 2023
8
GATES III, WILLIAM H.
BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATIONPHILANTHROPIST
IndividualREDMOND, WA
$6,600
Oct 19, 2023
9
GUFF, ANDREW
SIGULER GUFF & COMPANY LPINVESTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Nov 21, 2023
10
HABER, WILLIAM
SAVE THE CHILDRENRETIRED
IndividualWESTPORT, CT
$6,600
Oct 11, 2023

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

ID: S001217

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

ID: S001198

Top Contributors

10

1
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$45,000
Aug 9, 2024
2
THE LINCOLN CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY FEDERAL PAC
PACNEWPORT BEACH, CA
$25,000
Oct 18, 2024
3
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$15,000
Aug 9, 2024
4
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$6,600
Oct 19, 2023
5
RON JOHNSON VICTORY
COMOSHKOSH, WI
$1,997
Sep 30, 2024
6
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$58,700
Dec 28, 2023
7
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$41,300
Dec 28, 2023
9
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$41,300
Dec 19, 2023

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

ID: E000295

Top Contributors

10

1
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
OrganizationTAMA, IA
$5,000
Aug 29, 2023
2
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
OrganizationTAMA, IA
$1,700
Sep 28, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 21, 2024
4
ABEL, ANDREA MS.
HOMEMAKERHOMEMAKER
IndividualDES MOINES, IA
$50,000
Feb 7, 2023
5
MCINERNEY, THOMAS E. MR.
BLUFF POINT ASSOC. CORPORATIONVENTURE INVESTOR
IndividualWESTPORT, CT
$50,000
Feb 22, 2023
6
NICOLLS, BOB MR.
MONARCHREAL ESTATE
IndividualFRANKTOWN, CO
$25,000
Mar 17, 2023
7
GRAY, C. BOYDEN
SELF-EMPLOYEDATTORNEY
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$25,000
Mar 29, 2023
8
CATSIMATIDIS, JOHN A. MR.
UNITED REFINING COMPANYCHARIMAN & CEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$25,000
May 16, 2023
9
KOTICK, ROBERT MR.
ACTIVISION BLIZZARDCEO
IndividualSANTA MONICA, CA
$16,600
Dec 20, 2024
10
VINCZE, CHRISTOPHER
TRC COMPANIES INC.CHAIRMAN AND CEO
IndividualTEQUESTA, FL
$15,800
Nov 6, 2023

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

ID: B001267

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Oct 18, 2024
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Jun 21, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 30, 2024
4
QUILLER GALLERY LLC
OrganizationCREEDE, CO
$250
Nov 20, 2023
5
BARRON, THOMAS A
SELF EMPLOYEDAUTHOR
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$5,000
Sep 18, 2023
6
WALLINGER, DANIELLE
STUDIO D DESIGNCEO
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$5,000
Oct 15, 2024
7
WALLINGER, DIRK
YORK SPACE SYSTEMSCEO
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$5,000
Oct 15, 2024
8
LEPRINO, TERRY LYNN
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualDENVER, CO
$3,300
Dec 3, 2024
9
SIE, JOHN J.
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$3,300
Dec 3, 2024
10
HEGYI, ALBERT
1ST FINANCIALBANKER
IndividualSOUTHPORT, CT
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023

Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

ID: R000608

Top Contributors

10

1
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,700
Jul 31, 2024
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
5
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
7
SYUCAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
OrganizationEL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
8
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
9
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
OrganizationHOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
10
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 61 nodes and 41 connections (58 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $266,881

Top Donors - Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

6 Orgs16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • +Defense Contractorsconfidence 0.95

    Section 2 provides exemptions from certain arms export control requirements for defense articles sold by the United States to Australia and the United Kingdom, facilitating reexport, retransfer, and temporary import between these governments and eligible entities. Section 3 eliminates certification requirements for commercial technical assistance or manufacturing license agreements involving Australia and the United Kingdom. These provisions reduce regulatory barriers and streamline defense trad

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