Sponsors (4)
The bill aims to boost U.S. civil nuclear competitiveness and strengthen international safety and nonproliferation engagement, but does so by directing taxpayer-backed support to private exporters—raising fiscal, diplomatic, environmental, and fairness trade-offs.
U.S. civil nuclear companies (including small-business suppliers) gain diplomatic backing and commercial support that improves their export market access and competitiveness against state-backed foreign rivals.
Partner countries and their regulators receive help with licensing, safety practices, and workforce training, which improves reactor safety abroad and strengthens coordinated nonproliferation efforts that protect U.S. national security.
Congress (and thus taxpayers) gains more oversight and transparency through required unclassified reports and annual briefings on program activities and spending.
U.S. taxpayers may fund early-stage commercial support for private companies (including via nonproliferation program funds), shifting public resources to subsidize private exports.
Promotion of U.S. civil nuclear exports could heighten geopolitical tensions and provoke diplomatic backlash from rival exporting states, potentially complicating U.S. foreign relations and trade.
Expanding U.S. SMR deployment overseas could create long-term environmental or waste-management liabilities for host communities if safety, waste disposal, or lifecycle issues are not fully resolved.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a State Department program (FIRST) to promote responsible international deployment of SMRs and civil nuclear technology, with diplomatic, regulatory, commercial, and nonproliferation activities and reporting to Congress.
Official title: Establish in the Department of State a Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology program, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 22, 2026 by Theodore Paul Budd · Last progress July 22, 2026
Creates a Department of State program called the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) to promote the international deployment of civil nuclear energy—especially small modular reactors (SMRs)—in ways that advance U.S. economic and national security interests while addressing safety, security, and nonproliferation. The Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security will run the program, lead diplomatic engagement, support early commercial project work, coordinate regulatory and workforce assistance, and report to Congress on activities and spending. The program must deliver an unclassified report (with a possible classified annex) and brief relevant congressional committees within 120 days of enactment and annually thereafter. The authority and reporting requirements expire on June 8, 2034.