CONSULT Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Jun 2023): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
What this bill does
The CONSULT Act of 2023 (S. 2034) would require the Secretary of Defense to develop procurement policies addressing conflicts of interest involving consulting firms that also work for foreign adversaries. The bill would bar the Department of Defense from entering into, renewing, or extending contracts or grants with a "covered consultancy"—a company that, within the prior year, provided consulting services to a "covered entity." Covered entities include the Chinese government, Communist Party, and military; Chinese state-owned firms in sensitive industries such as semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, and critical minerals; the Russian government; state sponsors of terrorism; and entities on various U.S. sanctions and export-control lists. Companies bidding on DoD consulting contracts would have to disclose relevant ties to covered entities, and firms that lose covered-entity relationships could certify their eligibility to work with DoD again.
The bill primarily affects consulting firms seeking Department of Defense contracts, requiring disclosure of foreign business ties and imposing penalties—contract termination and up to five years of debarment—for failing to disclose such relationships. The Secretary of Defense would also be required to revise defense acquisition regulations within one year of enactment to implement these rules.
Introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) with two cosponsors on June 15, 2023, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not received a committee vote or further action, and, per congressional records, it did not advance during the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Combating Obstructive National Security Underreporting of Legitimate Threats Act of 2023 or the CONSULT Act of 2023
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from contracting with consultancies who, for one year prior, entered into contracts with the government of China, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, or other entities related to the Chinese or Russian governments.
Any individual or entity submitting an offer or bid for a contract for consulting services with DOD must disclose any contracts or grant awards from such Chinese or Russian entities during the past five years. If a contractor fails to disclose such contracts or awards, DOD must terminate the contract for cause and initiate a suspension and debarment proceeding on the contractor.
Timeline
15 Jun 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Common questions
- What does S. 2034 do?
- The CONSULT Act of 2023 (S. 2034) would require the Secretary of Defense to develop procurement policies addressing conflicts of interest involving consulting firms that also work for foreign adversaries. The bill would bar the Department of Defense from entering into, renewing, or extending contracts or grants with a "covered consultancy"—a company that, within the prior year, provided consulting services to a "covered entity." Covered entities include the Chinese government, Communist Party, and military; Chinese state-owned firms in sensitive industries such as semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, and critical minerals; the Russian government; state sponsors of terrorism; and entities on various U.S. sanctions and export-control lists. Companies bidding on DoD consulting contracts would have to disclose relevant ties to covered entities, and firms that lose covered-entity relationships could certify their eligibility to work with DoD again. The bill primarily affects consulting firms seeking Department of Defense contracts, requiring disclosure of foreign business ties and imposing penalties—contract termination and up to five years of debarment—for failing to disclose such relationships. The Secretary of Defense would also be required to revise defense acquisition regulations within one year of enactment to implement these rules. Introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) with two cosponsors on June 15, 2023, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not received a committee vote or further action, and, per congressional records, it did not advance during the 118th Congress.
- Has S. 2034 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2034. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2034?
- S. 2034 was sponsored by Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] (R-IA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2034?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (15 Jun 2023).
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