A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The PROFIT Act of 2026 reorganizes the Department of State to prioritize economic security as national security. It creates a new Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment to oversee several specialized areas. These include new or updated roles for sanctions policy, economic analysis, energy security, and water, environment, and space affairs. The bill also establishes an Office of Subnational Diplomacy to help local U.S. governments with foreign investment and risks. Additionally, it changes hiring practices to increase civil service economic expertise within the Department.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +8
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
Specifically designed to promote international trade and expand US market access.
- Scored +7
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
Reorganizes the State Department to better align economic and foreign policies globally.
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
Directly supports US businesses in winning foreign contracts and accessing international markets.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for U.S. Businesses: The Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs is tasked with helping U.S. companies win foreign contracts, identifying market opportunities, and advocating for commercial interests overseas (Section 7).
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Local Government Assistance: The Office of Subnational Diplomacy helps city and county governments attract foreign investment and provides guidance on the risks of engaging with countries of concern (Section 8).
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Energy Access and Security: The bill directs efforts to alleviate energy poverty and enhance energy efficiency for U.S. allies and partners (Section 9).
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Environmental and Resource Protection: The Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs is responsible for protecting marine habitats, managing natural resources, and combating wildlife trafficking and illegal logging (Section 10).
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Economic Analysis: The Chief Economist provides data-driven research to ensure supply chain resilience and secure access to critical minerals (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Foreign Service Career Constraints: The bill mandates that Office Director and Deputy Office Director positions under the new Under Secretary be generally filled by civil service officers, limiting these roles for Foreign Service officers (Section 11).
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Sanctions Implications: The establishment of an Assistant Secretary for Sanctions Policy focuses on the imposition and enforcement of sanctions, which can have various political and economic implications (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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Specifically designed to promote international trade and expand US market access. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Reorganizes the State Department to better align economic and foreign policies globally. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Focuses on strengthening alliances and coordinating sanctions with foreign partners. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Includes combating cybercrimes as part of the sanctions policy responsibilities. Does this put more money into stopping terrorism? — Directs efforts to combat terrorist financing through sanctions policies.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Aims to promote economic growth and expand trade and investment opportunities for US companies. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Assists US businesses in identifying foreign market opportunities and winning foreign contracts. Is this likely to create jobs? — Promotes expanding opportunities for US private sector companies in international markets.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — Creates leadership to support civil and commercial space governance and economic growth in outer space. Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Tasks the Assistant Secretary with protecting intellectual property rights internationally.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Establishes an Assistant Secretary to protect marine habitats and combat wildlife trafficking. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Focuses on conserving and managing economically important ecosystems and natural resources. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Promotes energy technology and efficiency for US allies and partners.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Directly supports US businesses in winning foreign contracts and accessing international markets. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Assists city and municipal governments in attracting foreign investment.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Establishes an Office of Subnational Diplomacy to assist local governments with foreign investment. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases the administrative capacity and oversight of the federal Department of State.
- 6/9/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 6/8/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3970-3974)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3970-3974)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5248.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3970-3974)
- Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/18/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.
- 9/17/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 9/16/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Michael McCaulRepublican · Texas
James MoylanRepublican · Guam