A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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
This bill, called the "SHIELD Against CCP Act," requires the Department of Homeland Security to create a working group to counter threats from the Chinese Communist Party. The group will focus on terrorism, cybersecurity, border and port security, and transportation security. It is tasked with examining issues like human trafficking, fentanyl smuggling, and intellectual property theft. The bill requires annual reports to Congress and the development of new security technologies. The working group will exist for seven years.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +8
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
Creates a dedicated DHS working group to address cybersecurity threats from the CCP.
- Scored +8
Does this tighten control of the border?
Establishes a specialized working group to counter border and port security threats.
- Scored +7
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
Specifically targets the theft of technology and intellectual property.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Increases scrutiny and countermeasures against the exploitation of immigration systems.
- Scored -2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
Broad mandates to examine illicit activity could lead to increased domestic monitoring.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Combatting Human Trafficking and Smuggling: The Working Group is tasked with countering the exploitation of the immigration system, specifically identity theft, human smuggling, and human trafficking (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Fighting Illegal Drugs: The bill aims to counter the support for transnational criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl and other controlled substances into the U.S. (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).
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Protecting Economy and Intellectual Property: The bill focuses on countering predatory trade practices, including the theft of technology and intellectual property, as well as the use of forced labor (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Privacy Protections: The bill requires at least one employee dedicated to ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
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Information Sharing: The bill improves the flow of security information between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for Overreach: While the bill mentions protections, the broad mandate to examine "nontraditional tactics" and "illicit financial activity" could potentially impact individuals (Section 2(b)(1)).
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 better protect the country from computer attacks? — Creates a dedicated DHS working group to address cybersecurity threats from the CCP. Does this put more money into stopping terrorism? — Directs resources toward countering terrorist threats posed by the CCP. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Combats predatory trade practices and intellectual property theft to ensure fairer trade. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — Broad mandates to examine illicit activity could lead to increased domestic monitoring.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Specifically targets the theft of technology and intellectual property. Does this put more money into scientific research? — Mandates research and development of new security technologies. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Includes a specific requirement for an employee to ensure compliance with privacy laws.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Aims to reduce the trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Protects the economy by countering predatory trade practices and intellectual property theft. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Protects businesses from intellectual property theft and unfair predatory trade practices.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands the operational capacity of the Department of Homeland Security. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires annual unclassified reports to be posted on a public website. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Explicitly requires activities to be carried out in accordance with privacy protections.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — Establishes a specialized working group to counter border and port security threats.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Directly targets the trafficking of fentanyl and drug precursors into the U.S.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Protects businesses from IP theft and predatory trade practices. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Increases scrutiny and countermeasures against the exploitation of immigration systems.
- 5/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors 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.
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma