The U.S. Senate has passed bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen enforcement against illegal semiconductor exports, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The bill, led by Mike Rounds and co-sponsored by Mark Warner, would establish a whistleblower reward program aimed at identifying unlawful shipments of American-made chips overseas.
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Known as the “Stop Stealing Our Chips Act,” the proposal would amend existing export control laws and create a reporting system within the Bureau of Industry and Security. Supporters say the legislation is intended to prevent advanced U.S. semiconductors from being illegally transferred to China and other foreign adversaries.
Under the bill, whistleblowers who provide credible information leading to penalties against violators could receive between 10% and 30% of collected fines. The program would also establish confidentiality protections, anti-retaliation safeguards, and a secure platform for reporting suspected export violations.
Rounds said the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has increased concerns over sensitive technology falling into the wrong hands. Lawmakers backing the measure argue stronger enforcement tools are necessary as global competition over AI and semiconductor technology intensifies.
The legislation comes amid broader U.S.-China tensions involving trade, technology, and national security. Earlier this month, Donald Trump announced that Xi Jinping had agreed to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing following high-level discussions in Beijing. While details of the agreement were not publicly released, the talks highlighted ongoing economic negotiations between the two countries.
The Senate bill now moves to the House, where lawmakers will decide whether to advance the measure to President Trump’s desk. Supporters say the proposal would strengthen U.S. export controls while helping protect critical American technology from unauthorized foreign access.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
