Rick Scott (R-FL)
Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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
The ``Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2025'' aims to stop the procurement of solar panels manufactured or assembled in the People's Republic of China. Under this bill, the Office of Management and Budget will develop guidelines to prohibit Federal funds and Government-issued purchase cards from being used for solar panels from covered entities. The Federal Acquisition Regulation will also be amended to implement these restrictions. While agencies can request waivers if a covered entity is the only viable source, these requests require joint approval from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, the bill mandates a report from the Comptroller General regarding solar panel procurement and an independent study on the domestic solar market and global supply chain.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill's focus on domestic solar production may benefit domestic manufacturers as it restricts foreign competition.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires mandatory reports from the Comptroller General and quarterly notifications of waiver requests to Congress.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill mandates a study of the domestic solar market and workforce to support future production capacity.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Domestic Market Oversight: The bill requires an independent study of the current and future domestic market of solar panel production, the ability of the domestic market to keep pace with technology, and the global supply chain (Section 5(a)). This could provide insight into the strength of the domestic industry.
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Increased Transparency: The Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress regarding the amount of solar panels procured by Federal departments and agencies from covered entities (Section 4). Furthermore, any waiver requests must be included in a quarterly report submitted to congressional committees (Section 3(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Procurement Restrictions: Federal agencies will be prohibited from using contracts, subcontracts, grants, or subgrants to purchase solar panels manufactured or assembled by covered entities (Section 2(a)(1)). Additionally, they will be prohibited from using Government-issued purchase cards for these items (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Stringent Waiver Process: To bypass the procurement prohibition, an agency head must certify that the covered entity is the only viable source and receive joint approval from both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Section 3(a)).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill's focus on domestic solar production may benefit domestic manufacturers as it restricts foreign competition.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill mandates a study of the domestic solar market and workforce to support future production capacity. Does this invest in rural communities? — The study on domestic production may assist in long-term energy infrastructure planning for rural and domestic areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires mandatory reports from the Comptroller General and quarterly notifications of waiver requests to Congress.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill potentially favors domestic solar energy business owners by restricting their Chinese competitors.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates a federally funded study on the solar market and technological advancements.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — By restricting procurement from Chinese-controlled entities, the bill mitigates potential supply chain security risks. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill takes a strategic stance on decoupling supply chains from the People's Republic of China.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill includes restrictions on entities controlled by the government of China, which aligns with national security interests regarding trade borders.
- 12/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 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.
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri