AI Chip Export Controls

The setup

The US government is moving to formalize and strengthen its posture on AI chip export controls, with a flurry of legislative activity in early 2026. This effort aims to codify existing restrictions, expand their scope to include remote access, and significantly accelerate the process for sanctioning Chinese technology companies. The bipartisan support for these measures indicates a sustained, aggressive stance on limiting China's access to advanced AI capabilities.

How this developed

1. Nov 28, 2025HR6322, the Stop Stealing our Chips Act, establishes a whistleblower program for AI chip export control violations.Bill
2. Jan 13, 2026HR2683, the Remote Access Security Act, expands export controls to include remote access to dual-use items.Bill
3. Apr 15, 2026HR8306, the SCALE Act, codifies existing AI chip export restrictions into an annual review cycle.Bill
4. Apr 22, 2026HR8169, the Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act, passed committee, mandating 30-45 day votes on Entity List changes.Bill
5. Apr 22, 2026HR6058, the STRIDE Act, passed committee, codifying policy to coordinate with allies on semiconductor supply chain security.Bill
6. Apr 22, 2026HR8036, the Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act, passed committee, expanding authority for export control rule changes.Bill
7. May 21, 2026S.1473, the Senate version of the Stop Stealing our Chips Act, passed the Senate, creating a whistleblower program.Bill
8. Jun 24, 2026S4882, introduced by Sen. Scott, aims to secure ICT supply chains through export control amendments.Bill
9. Aug 7, 2026S5380, introduced by Sen. Husted, proposes extending the statute of limitations for export control violations to ten years.Bill

Why it matters

• Multiple bills (E3, E4, E5, E6) passed out of House committees on the same day (April 22, 2026) with strong bipartisan support, indicating a coordinated and aggressive legislative push to formalize and expand AI chip export controls.
• HR8169 (E4) dramatically accelerates the Entity List process to 30-45 days, posing immediate revenue risk for China-exposed semiconductor companies like NVDA, QCOM, and ASML, while benefiting domestic foundry INTC.
• HR2683 (E2) expands export controls to include remote access, creating a new compliance burden and upgrade cycle for zero-trust and cybersecurity vendors like PANW, CRWD, and ZS, with an estimated $100M-$400M annual benefit for each.
• The SCALE Act (E3) and STRIDE Act (E5) codify existing restrictions and promote allied coordination, removing 'ban surprise' risk for companies like NVDA and AMD but formalizing a ceiling on China revenue growth and impacting equipment makers like LRCX, AMAT, and KLAC.

The record · 9 items, oldest first

• Nov 28, 2025BillStop Stealing our Chips Act
• Jan 13, 2026BillRemote Access Security Act
• Apr 15, 2026BillSCALE Act
• Apr 22, 2026BillTo amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide for expedited consideration of proposals for additions to, removals from, or other modifications with respect to entities on the Entity List, and for other purposes.
• Apr 22, 2026BillSTRIDE Act
• Apr 22, 2026BillInteragency Coordination in Export Controls Act of 2026
• May 21, 2026BillStop Stealing our Chips Act
• Jun 24, 2026BillA bill to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide for the security of information and communications technology and services supply chains, and for other purposes.
• Aug 7, 2026BillA bill to provide for a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018.

Some keyword matches were judged unrelated to this theme and are excluded from the record above.

How this story evolved

Earlier versions of this narrative will appear here as the record is re-read.