The United States Senate has approved the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act (PERA Act) as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation, introduced by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), is intended to strengthen U.S.-Philippines defense cooperation and improve the alliance’s capabilities in response to security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The bill now awaits the President’s signature.
Senator Hagerty stated, “As the United States and the Philippines face growing challenges to security and prosperity in the West Philippines Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific, it’s critical for our two nations to deepen cooperation and raise our decades-long Alliance to even greater heights. This bipartisan bill will significantly increase U.S. security assistance to the Philippines and profoundly strengthen and modernize the defense and deterrence capabilities of our Alliance. I’m pleased to see the Senate pass this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.”
Senator Kaine added, “The Philippines is a key ally of the United States, and we must strengthen cooperation with our partners across the region to counter China’s aggression and help ensure freedom, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. I’m glad that our legislation to significantly boost our security partnership with the Philippines was included in this year’s defense bill.”
Senator Hagerty represents Tennessee as a Republican in the U.S. Senate official website. His office operates district locations throughout Tennessee—including Chattanooga, Knoxville, Tri-Cities—and maintains a site at Washington D.C.’s Russell Senate Office Building official website. The office provides constituent services such as casework assistance and support with federal agencies statewide official website.
Hagerty serves on several committees during the 119th Congress: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; Appropriations; as well as Rules and Administration official website.
The PERA Act is expected to deepen military ties between Washington and Manila amid ongoing regional tensions.
