America LEADS Act
Latest action (17 Sep 2020): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 4629, the America LEADS Act, is a wide-ranging bill introduced in the Senate on September 17, 2020, addressing the United States' relationship with China. It sets out findings and a statement of policy on the Indo-Pacific region, then organizes dozens of provisions into four broad titles: investing in American competitiveness (covering science and technology research, infrastructure development abroad, digital and telecommunications security, domestic manufacturing including semiconductors, and education programs); investing in alliances and partnerships (covering diplomatic engagement, security cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, and regional strategies toward Canada, Latin America, Europe, South and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Arctic); investing in democratic values (covering Tibet, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uyghur region, forced labor, human rights sanctions, and anti-Asian racism in the U.S.); and economic statecraft (covering trade enforcement, financial disclosure requirements, and economic security measures related to China).
The bill would affect numerous federal agencies and programs, including the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce, the intelligence community, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and federal research and education programs. It also touches institutions of higher education, U.S. companies with ties to China, and immigration programs for people from Hong Kong and the Uyghur region, among many other parties, largely through new reporting requirements, strategy mandates, funding authorizations, and statements of policy.
The bill was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez, with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress. According to the Congressional Research Service, provisions of this bill were later incorporated into other legislation.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
America Labor, Economic competitiveness, Alliances, Democracy and Security Act or the America LEADS Act
This bill addresses science and technology development, global infrastructure, U.S. manufacturing, foreign relations, and other topics.
Provisions of the bill include those
• authorizing through FY2025 various federal research and development activities;
• requiring the Department of State to take actions to advance the development and adoption of quality global infrastructure;
• requiring the use of domestically produced aluminum in certain federal projects;
• requiring the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce to take actions to encourage the development and production of measurably secure microelectronics and semiconductors;
• expanding disclosure requirements for U.S. institutions of higher education that receive foreign gifts;
Common questions
- What does S. 4629 do?
- S. 4629, the America LEADS Act, is a wide-ranging bill introduced in the Senate on September 17, 2020, addressing the United States' relationship with China. It sets out findings and a statement of policy on the Indo-Pacific region, then organizes dozens of provisions into four broad titles: investing in American competitiveness (covering science and technology research, infrastructure development abroad, digital and telecommunications security, domestic manufacturing including semiconductors, and education programs); investing in alliances and partnerships (covering diplomatic engagement, security cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, and regional strategies toward Canada, Latin America, Europe, South and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Arctic); investing in democratic values (covering Tibet, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uyghur region, forced labor, human rights sanctions, and anti-Asian racism in the U.S.); and economic statecraft (covering trade enforcement, financial disclosure requirements, and economic security measures related to China). The bill would affect numerous federal agencies and programs, including the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce, the intelligence community, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and federal research and education programs. It also touches institutions of higher education, U.S. companies with ties to China, and immigration programs for people from Hong Kong and the Uyghur region, among many other parties, largely through new reporting requirements, strategy mandates, funding authorizations, and statements of policy. The bill was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez, with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress. According to the Congressional Research Service, provisions of this bill were later incorporated into other legislation.
- Has S. 4629 become law?
- Not yet. As of 17 Sep 2020, S. 4629 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 4629?
- S. 4629 was sponsored by Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez [D-NJ, 2006-2024] (Democrat-NJ), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4629?
- Introduced (17 Sep 2020).
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