WASHINGTON, February 6, 2026 — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to ensure the United States doesn’t fall behind in the rapidly evolving world of robotics, introducing legislation this week to establish a temporary, independent commission focused on the technology and its applications.
Commission Aims to Bolster U.S. Robotics Leadership
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The initiative comes as concerns grow about global competition in robotics and the potential impact on national security and the economy.
- The “National Commission on Robotics Act” would create an 18-member panel with cross-agency collaboration.
- The Department of Commerce would lead the commission, designating a liaison and providing resources.
- A parallel effort, the Partnership for Robotics Competitiveness, launched to advance federal policy.
- Separate legislation seeks to block the procurement of robots from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The National Commission on Robotics Act, spearheaded by Representatives Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., and Bob Latta, R-Ohio, mandates collaboration across federal agencies, requiring them to provide analysis and briefings to the commission. The Commerce Department would oversee the effort, assigning a liaison officer and allocating a federally funded research-and-development center to support the commission’s work.
The proposed Commission on American Leadership in Robotics would consist of 18 members appointed by lawmakers from both parties. Its primary goal is to advise the government on strategies to maintain a technological edge in robotics, foster increased investment, and strengthen partnerships with industry. The group will also work to inform future legislation related to the technology.
“As robotics continue to reshape our economy, manufacturing base, and national security, it is essential that the United States remain the global leader in robotics innovation,” Obernolte said in a press release Tuesday. “This legislation brings together experts from industry, academia, and the public sector to help Congress develop smart, forward-looking policies that strengthen our workforce, secure our supply chains, and keep America competitive.”
The commission is envisioned as a short-term catalyst for research, with a planned termination date 18 months after the submission of its final report and recommendations.
“Only by better understanding the economic impacts of robotics can we continue to work on the cutting edge of research that drastically improves and enriches people’s lives,” McClellan said in a statement.
Industry and Congress Unite on Robotics Policy
Concurrent with the bill’s introduction, industry leaders and members of Congress launched the Partnership for Robotics Competitiveness, aiming to advance federal policy in robotics and physical AI. Obernolte and McClellan participated in the launch event, according to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.
“Dominance in this industry will determine who leads the next industrial revolution,” Michael Robbins, president and CEO of AUVSI, which is leading the initiative, said in a statement Wednesday.
The push for U.S. leadership in robotics comes alongside concerns about potential risks. Last November, a bipartisan Senate duo introduced legislation to address those concerns.
Safeguarding Against Foreign Robotics Threats
The Humanoid Robots Oversight and Blocking of Obtainment Totalitarians Act would prohibit federal agencies and their contractors from procuring robots developed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
“Americans win when we lead in technology,” Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., said in a press release following the bill’s introduction with co-sponsor Senator Chris Coons, D-Del. “We’re keeping that lead by blocking countries like China from putting their robots in our workplaces and homes.”
Robotic systems have been integrated into federal agency operations for decades. NASA, for instance, utilized robotics during the assembly of the International Space Station in 1998, as detailed in a Government Accountability Office report published last summer.
The potential applications of robotics are expanding as the technology matures and federal agencies allocate resources to related projects. The Department of Homeland Security’s Coast Guard established a new Program Executive Office dedicated to robotics in August 2025. The technology is also playing a role in the Trump administration’s Genesis Mission, with nearly 15 robotics projects contributing to its goals, according to the Energy Department.
