Mike Rounds (R-SD)· May 20, 2026
S.Amdt. 5445: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Stop Stealing our Chips Act
S. 1473 · Senate bill Foreign Trade and International Finance
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Stop Stealing our Chips Act," aims to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It establishes a whistleblower incentive program and provides specific protections for individuals who report violations. The bill focuses on identifying the diversion of leading-edge artificial intelligence chips to adversaries. A secure portal will be created for reporting original information regarding export control violations. The Secretary will be authorized to pay awards to whistleblowers based on the fines collected. Additionally, the Act creates the Export Compliance Accountability Fund to support these activities.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill creates a secure portal and a structured process for reporting and acting on information regarding export violations.
- Scored +3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides mechanisms for whistleblowers to submit reports anonymously.
- Scored +2
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill increases oversight of export control violations which protects against unfair trade practices.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill increases the risk of fines and legal action for businesses involved in export control violations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Rewards for Whistleblowers: Individuals who provide original information leading to fines can receive an award of at least 10 percent and up to 30 percent of the collected fine (Section 3(b)(3)(A) and (C)).
-
Job Security and Retaliation Protection: Employers are prohibited from discharging, demoting, suspending, threatening, or harassing employees because of their report to a law enforcement agency or the Secretary (Section 3(c)(1)(A)).
-
Legal Recourse for Retaliated Employees: If an individual faces discrimination for whistleblowing, they can bring a lawsuit in district court and may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay with interest, and coverage of legal fees (Section 3(c)(1)(C) and (D)).
-
Increased Anonymity: Whistleblowers have the option to submit reports anonymously, including through an attorney (Section 3(b)(2)(B)(i)).
-
National Security Protection: The bill seeks to mitigate threats caused by the diversion of leading-edge artificial intelligence chips into countries that are adversaries of the United States (Section 2(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Disqualification of Certain Professionals: Individuals serving as officers, directors, trustees, partners, or employees conducting compliance/internal audits or specific public accounting engagements may be disqualified from receiving awards (Section 3(b)(3)(B)(i)).
-
Loss of Anonymity in Specific Cases: 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)).
-
Legal Limitations on Lawsuits: Employees seeking relief for retaliation face a statute of limitations of 6 years after the violation or 3 years after the facts are known, with an absolute cap of 10 years (Section 3(c)(1)(C)(iii)).
-
Restriction of Reporting Rights: The Secretary may prohibit individuals from making reports if they have previously submitted multiple reports that were determined not to be credible (Section 3(b)(2)(D)).
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 creates a secure portal and a structured process for reporting and acting on information regarding export violations. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides mechanisms for whistleblowers to submit reports anonymously.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill increases the risk of fines and legal action for businesses involved in export control violations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill increases oversight of export control violations which protects against unfair trade practices.
- 5/21/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/20/2026
- Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2424-2426)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2424-2426)
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia