Sen. Duckworth and Rep. Curtis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create South China Sea Crisis Playbook
The Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced in the Senate and sent to the Committee on Foreign Relations for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is considered active.
This bill has support from both parties and addresses a major national security concern, but it is still in the early stages of the lawmaking process.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Active-duty service members stationed in or operating near the South China Sea would benefit from clearer crisis playbooks designed to protect their safety and reduce the risk of accidental escalation. The bill explicitly requires that each response option include an assessed risk to members of the Armed Forces, meaning military leaders would have pre-planned guidance that weighs troop safety at every decision point.
“to ensure the safety of members of the United States Armed Forces in the region, including safety from accidents”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
The bipartisan Strategy for Crisis Management Act directs the DoD to create 'crisis playbooks' with tailored options to manage South China Sea crises, aiming to protect American interests and avoid war through interagency coordination and diplomatic engagement.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Senator Duckworth highlighted the Strategy for Crisis Management Act as a critical tool to ensure the State Department prioritizes diplomacy and improves management of regional tensions before they escalate into military conflicts.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a new military strategy focusing on South China Sea flashpoints. The approach emphasizes enhancing military power and regional alliances with less confrontational rhetoric to maintain a balance of power and avoid full-scale escalation.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026
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