Krishnamoorthi Cosponsors Meeks RESTRICT Act to Block Sales of Advanced AI Chips to China
WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, today announced his cosponsorship of the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies (RESTRICT) Act, legislation introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks to protect U.S. national security and preserve American leadership in artificial intelligence. The RESTRICT Act would prohibit the sale of the most advanced U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) chips to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and other countries of concern, while strengthening U.S. competitiveness by creating a secure, license-free export pathway for trusted American companies operating data centers abroad.
“Artificial intelligence will shape the balance of power in the 21st century, and the United States cannot allow our most advanced AI chips to strengthen the Chinese Communist Party’s military and surveillance state,” said Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. “The RESTRICT Act ensures that America’s crown-jewel technologies are not sold to countries of concern, while cutting through needless bureaucracy for trusted U.S. companies operating secure facilities abroad. This legislation locks in strong, enforceable export controls and makes clear that U.S. innovation must advance our national security—not undermine it.”
The bill can be found here.
Bill Highlights:
Prohibits the sale of H200 and other advanced AI chips to China. The bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security to deny export license applications for any advanced integrated circuits to countries of concern.
Codifies current restrictions on the export of U.S. advanced integrated circuits and products to China. The bill does not impose new controls; instead, it codifies existing restrictions as currently articulated in the Federal Register.
Applies prohibitions to all arms-embargoed nations. The bill defines “countries of concern” as those countries under a U.S. arms embargo as of January 1, 2025.
Safeguards national security while allowing our export controls to adapt as technology advances. The bill allows the Under Secretary of Commerce to revise the definition of “advanced integrated circuit or product” after two years, if the Under Secretary has certified to Congress that doing so would not harm U.S. national security.
Facilitates secure global operations for U.S. firms. The bill calls on the Under Secretary to publish regulations outlining physical security, cybersecurity, remote access security, and other requirements that companies must meet to qualify for license-free transfers to their overseas facilities. Only U.S.-owned facilities outside of countries of concern are eligible.
The other original cosponsors of the RESTRICT Act include: Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Joaquin Castro, Dina Titus, Greg Stanton, Jim Costa, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Madeleine Dean, Gabe Amo, Jared Moskowitz, Johnny Olszewski, Josh Gottheimer, and Brad Sherman.