U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and Andy Kim introduced legislation on March 27 to enhance the United States’ competitiveness in the global nuclear energy market as part of the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
The bipartisan bill, known as the American Competitiveness for Exports in Nuclear Energy Act of 2026, aims to support U.S. companies competing for international nuclear projects at a time when demand for reliable, clean energy is increasing worldwide.
Senator McCormick said, “The global demand for reliable nuclear energy is growing, and American nuclear technology is ready to meet the challenge. China and Russia are aggressively expanding their nuclear footprint in global markets, and the United States must respond by strengthening our ability to compete for commercial nuclear projects abroad.” He added that this legislation will help make America “the partner of choice” while supporting domestic supply chains and reinforcing leadership in technology.
Senator Kim said, “Electricity demand is surging worldwide, and China continues bankrolling its own nuclear exports while we leave ourselves without the tools to compete. The ACE Nuclear Energy Act changes that, giving American exporters the financing and talent they need to win. This is how we lead the global energy race, create good American jobs, and grow our economy.”
According to Senator McCormick’s official website, he served as a captain in the 82nd Airborne Division during the First Gulf War and grew up in Bloomsburg as the son of educators. He earned a doctorate from Princeton University after graduating from West Point and has held roles such as CEO of FreeMarkets and Bridgewater Associates as well as under secretary of Treasury and deputy national security advisor.McCormick also focuses on promoting energy innovation alongside border security, cost reduction measures, national defense initiatives, crime prevention efforts, competition with global rivals like China or Russia—as highlighted by this new legislation—government reform efforts, community enhancement programs; he serves on several key Senate committees advancing policies for economic renewal.
The proposed bill would allow EXIM more flexibility by creating an exemption from its statutory default rate cap so large-scale projects do not prevent new deals from being approved. It would also expand EXIM’s ability to offer competitive pay for specialized staff needed for complex international deals—measures intended to align EXIM with similar agencies globally.
This initiative builds on recent provisions included in defense authorization law requiring federal agencies to coordinate strategies around international nuclear energy development.
