The Senate has unanimously passed legislation aimed at preventing American-made semiconductor chips from being smuggled to China.
The legislation, called the Stop Stealing Our Chips Act, has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. The Senate bill (S.1473), introduced by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), passed without objection on May 20.
“The United States has taken extensive measures to prevent American-made semiconductors from falling into the wrong hands, particularly China; however, China continues to smuggle these chips into their country, Rounds said in a statement on May 22.
Rounds said the legislation would strengthen export control enforcement at the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) by rewarding whistleblowers who come forward with credible information on illegal activity….