Thomas Kean (R-NJ)
Stop Stealing our Chips Act
A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 1.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Stop Stealing our Chips Act," seeks to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It aims to establish a whistleblower incentive program and provide specific protections for individuals who report violations of export control laws. The legislation focuses on preventing the diversion of leading-edge artificial intelligence chips to U.S. adversaries. It mandates the creation of a secure online portal for submitting original information to the Secretary. Additionally, the act establishes the Export Compliance Accountability Fund to finance whistleblower awards and related enforcement activities.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill establishes a secure portal for reporting violations and requires updates to whistleblowers on investigation status.
- Scored +5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill establishes a fund to finance enforcement and whistleblower awards through collected fines.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill provides legal recourse and specific remedies for employees facing retaliation from employers.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill creates potential financial liabilities and increased compliance burdens for businesses through a whistleblower program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Rewards for Whistleblowers: Individuals who provide original information leading to a fine greater than $1,000,000 can receive an award totaling between 10% and 30% of the amount collected (Section 3(b)(3)(A) and (C)).
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Job Security and Protection from Retaliation: The bill prohibits employers from discharging, demoting, suspending, threatening, or harassing employees because of their lawful act of reporting violations (Section 3(c)(1)(A)(ii)).
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Legal Recourse for Retaliated Employees: Individuals who face discrimination or discharge can bring an action in a U.S. district court to seek relief, including reinstatement, back pay with interest, and coverage of legal fees (Section 3(c)(1)(C) and (D)).
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Enhanced National Security: By encouraging individuals to report the diversion of leading-edge artificial intelligence chips, the bill seeks to mitigate threats to the national security of the United States (Section 2(1)).
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Increased Corporate Compliance: The incentive program is intended to encourage stronger self-policing and internal compliance within firms to prevent violations before they occur (Section 2(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Award Eligibility for Certain Professionals: Individuals serving as officers, directors, trustees, or partners of entities handling internal legal processes, or employees conducting compliance/audits, may be disqualified from receiving awards (Section 3(b)(3)(B)(i)).
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Limitations on Anonymity: While individuals can report anonymously through an attorney, the Secretary has the authority to require that an individual's identity be disclosed in order to receive an award (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii)).
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Risk of Dismissal for Non-Credible Reporting: The Secretary is authorized to prohibit individuals from making further reports if they have previously submitted multiple reports that were determined not to be credible (Section 3(b)(2)(D)).
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Strict Statutes of Limitations for Legal Action: Employees seeking relief for retaliation must act within specific timeframes, such as 6 years after the violation or 3 years after the facts were known, with a hard cap of 10 years (Section 3(c)(1)(C)(iii)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes a secure portal for reporting violations and requires updates to whistleblowers on investigation status. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides legal recourse and specific remedies for employees facing retaliation from employers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill establishes a fund to finance enforcement and whistleblower awards through collected fines. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill encourages corporate compliance with export control laws through an incentive program.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill helps prevent the diversion of leading-edge AI chips to adversaries, which is critical for technological security.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill creates potential financial liabilities and increased compliance burdens for businesses through a whistleblower program.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — By securing the export of AI chips, the bill helps protect the integrity of domestic high-tech development.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 1.
- 4/21/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 12/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/1/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 11/28/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Eric CrawfordRepublican · Arkansas
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Lisa McClainRepublican · Michigan
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan