A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The PROTECT USA Act of 2025 aims to stop specific American companies from following foreign sustainability due diligence laws. These protected entities include businesses in the manufacturing, energy, and extractive sectors that are considered integral to national interests. The bill specifically targets regulations like the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. It prohibits these entities from performing assessments or reporting on environmental and social impacts required by foreign governments. Additionally, the act prevents people from taking adverse actions against these companies for not complying with such foreign rules.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
It provides significant legal and regulatory relief for major industrial and manufacturing business owners.
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill specifically includes agriculture as an integral sector that should be protected from foreign regulations.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to grow the economy?
It aims to facilitate international commerce and protect key sectors from foreign regulatory burdens.
The opposite· 3 of 9
- Scored -7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill actively obstructs participation in environmental impact assessments and reporting requirements.
- Scored -6
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
By prohibiting sustainability due diligence, the bill reduces the incentive and ability to track and mitigate environmental impacts.
- Scored -5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill decreases transparency by preventing companies from reporting social and environmental impacts.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Employment and Economic Stability: The bill finds that foreign restrictions can have serious adverse effects on employment and economic stability; by prohibiting compliance with these regulations, it seeks to prevent these negative effects (Section 2).
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Support for Essential Industries: The act protects entities involved in the production of arms, critical minerals, and raw materials like agriculture, energy, and timber, which are described as critically important for economic development and human progress (Section 2 and Section 3).
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Legal Protection for Companies: Entities are protected from adverse actions taken by others due to their compliance or non-compliance with foreign regulations (Section 5).
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Relief from Foreign Court Judgments: The bill ensures that judgments from foreign courts regarding sustainability due diligence regulations will not be recognized in United States courts (Section 5).
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Hardship Relief System: Companies facing specific hardships due to these prohibitions can petition the President for an exemption (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction of Compliance Abilities: The bill prohibits entities integral to national interests from complying with foreign laws that require environmental or social impact assessments and reporting (Section 4).
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Limitation on Private Action: While entities can sue for adverse actions, the bill focuses on protecting specific large-scale entities rather than broader public interests (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — It provides significant legal and regulatory relief for major industrial and manufacturing business owners. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill specifically includes agriculture as an integral sector that should be protected from foreign regulations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The protection of the extractive and agricultural sectors may benefit rural economic development. Would union members be better off under this? — By protecting industrial sectors, it seeks to safeguard the jobs of the workers within them.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill actively obstructs participation in environmental impact assessments and reporting requirements. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — By prohibiting sustainability due diligence, the bill reduces the incentive and ability to track and mitigate environmental impacts. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The focus on protecting fossil fuel and traditional extractive sectors may detract from the renewable transition.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — It aims to facilitate international commerce and protect key sectors from foreign regulatory burdens. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill seeks to protect employment by preventing foreign regulations from harming domestic industrial stability. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill limits transparency regarding environmental and social impacts that consumers might use to make informed decisions.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill grants the President significant authority to grant exemptions and protect entities from foreign legal judgments. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill decreases transparency by preventing companies from reporting social and environmental impacts. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — It limits the ability of foreign courts to have their judgments recognized in the U.S.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — It aims to protect American companies from regulatory hurdles in international trade. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill may create friction with international allies by disregarding their sustainability regulations. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It prioritizes unilateral national interest over adherence to international regulatory norms.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By prohibiting social impact assessments, the bill may hinder transparency regarding racial equity in supply chains.
- 7/2/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.