House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Introduces Bill to Block Sales of Advanced AI Chips to China

Washington, D.C.- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led 13 House Democrats today in introducing the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies (RESTRICT) Act, legislation 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.

"President Trump's decision to sell H200s to China further proves that national security is for sale under this administration. That decision not only risks undercutting U.S. dominance in the AI race, but also compromises our national security by giving those capabilities directly to our chief strategic competitor. My legislation would prohibit the sale of these advanced chips to China, while making it easier for American companies to compete with China globally across the AI technology stack. Trump cannot be allowed to jeopardize U.S. national security by supercharging the PRC's AI capabilities and, in turn, its military and malign influence capabilities," said Ranking Member Meeks.

A PDF copy of 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 he/she 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 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, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Josh Gottheimer, and Brad Sherman.