Although his bill to restrict exports of advanced AI chips didn't make it into the final FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lawmakers unveiled this week (see 2512080048), Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said late Dec. 9 that he's not giving up on his proposal.
A host of lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump’s decision this week to allow Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China (see 2512080059), saying it will help Beijing catch up to the U.S. in AI. Others were sympathetic or non-committal.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social late Dec. 8 that he has decided to allow the sale of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China.
House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a final FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes legislation to limit U.S. outbound investment in China but omits a Senate proposal to restrict exports of advanced AI chips.
The Trump administration’s recent decision to remove sanctions on former Serb Republic President Milorad Dodik was a “mistake” because it "prematurely" gave up “leverage” it needs to promote stability in the Western Balkans, a foreign policy expert told a congressional panel Dec. 2.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved several sanctions and export control bills Dec. 3, including the Sanctions Lists Harmonization Act, which would require a review of whether individuals or entities included on certain sanctions lists should be included on other sanctions lists (see 2507070022).
House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said Dec. 4 that he is seeking several changes to a Russia sanctions and tariffs bill that lawmakers are trying to get through Congress this month.
The U.S. should maintain and strengthen export restrictions on advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to preserve its edge over China in AI, a panel of experts told lawmakers Dec. 2.
The Senate Appropriations Committee unveiled an FY 2026 financial services and general government appropriations bill Nov. 24 that would fully fund the Trump administration’s request for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. and the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
A proposal to require U.S. manufacturers of advanced AI chips to make their products available to American firms before selling them to China is unlikely to make it into the final FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but it could advance later as stand-alone legislation, a key lawmaker said Dec. 2.