Tim Scott (R-SC)
ICTS Supply Chain Security Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 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, known as the ``ICTS Supply Chain Security Act of 2026'', aims to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It establishes an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Information and Communications Technology Supply Chains to oversee a new Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services. The Act prohibits transactions involving information and communications technology or services that pose undue risks to national security or critical infrastructure if they involve countries of concern. These countries include the People's Republic of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the Russian Federation. The Secretary is granted authority to prescribe regulations and mitigation measures to address these risks. Finally, the bill includes specific penalties for violations and a five-year termination clause.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill mitigates national security risks by prohibiting ICTS transactions from countries of concern that threaten critical infrastructure.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill protects the digital economy from security risks posed by foreign-controlled technology.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Office to provide information to appropriate congressional committees upon request.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Businesses may face significant civil and criminal penalties for complying with new ICTS transaction prohibitions.
- Scored -4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill limits judicial review to a specific circuit and allows for ex parte and in camera reviews of sensitive information.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of National Security and Critical Infrastructure: The bill prohibits transactions that pose an "undue risk of sabotage" or "catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of United States critical infrastructure or the digital economy" (Section 1785A(b)(2)).
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Preservation of Free Expression: The prohibition does not apply to "expressive materials," such as publications, films, social media posts, or news articles (Section 1785A(c)).
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Public Access to Software: The bill includes an exception ensuring that prohibitions do not prevent transactions intended to "provide the public with access to open-source software" (Section 1785A(d)).
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Congressional Oversight: The Office is required to make information available to appropriate congressional committees upon request, ensuring legislative transparency (Section 1784(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Penalties for Violations: Individuals who willfully violate the act face fines of up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years (Section 1785E(b)).
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Heavy Civil Fines for Organizations: The Secretary can impose civil penalties that are the greater of $1,500,000 or five times the value of the transaction (Section 1785E(c)(1)(A)).
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Impact on Existing Contracts: The prohibitions on certain transactions apply "notwithstanding any contract entered into or license or permit granted before the date of the enactment of this part" (Section 1785A(e)).
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Limited Judicial Review: Challenges to final actions can only be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and certain sensitive information may be reviewed by the court "ex parte and in camera," meaning it is not released to the claimant or the public (Section 1785D(b)).
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? — The bill mitigates national security risks by prohibiting ICTS transactions from countries of concern that threaten critical infrastructure.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Businesses may face significant civil and criminal penalties for complying with new ICTS transaction prohibitions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects the digital economy from security risks posed by foreign-controlled technology.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill explicitly carves out exceptions for expressive materials like social media and news to protect free expression.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill includes an exception to ensure transactions for open-source software remain accessible to the public.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Office to provide information to appropriate congressional committees upon request. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill limits judicial review to a specific circuit and allows for ex parte and in camera reviews of sensitive information.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee