AI OVERWATCH Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jan 2026): Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2.
What this bill does
The AI OVERWATCH Act would amend federal export-control law to require a special license before certain advanced computer chips—"covered integrated circuits" used in data centers, defined by specific technical performance thresholds—can be exported, reexported, or transferred to entities located in, headquartered in, or ultimately owned by parent companies in designated "countries of concern": China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the Maduro regime. It bars general licenses for this purpose, requires detailed certifications to Congress at least 30 days before any such license is approved, and lets Congress block a proposed transfer through an expedited joint resolution. It terminates existing licenses for these transfers, imposes a temporary across-the-board denial of new licenses until a required national security strategy is delivered, and creates an exemption process for "trusted United States persons" meeting security and ownership standards.
The bill primarily affects U.S. chip manufacturers and exporters, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, other federal agencies involved in export policy, and any foreign entities—especially in China—seeking these chips. It also affects U.S. companies that could qualify as "trusted" persons under new security and ownership rules, easing their compliance burden for transfers outside countries of concern.
Introduced December 18, 2025, by Rep. Brian Mast with several cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and has since been ordered reported in the nature of a substitute by a 42-2 committee vote (January 21, 2026). It would next need to be scheduled for floor consideration in the House, then pass the Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
21 Jan 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6875 do?
- The AI OVERWATCH Act would amend federal export-control law to require a special license before certain advanced computer chips—"covered integrated circuits" used in data centers, defined by specific technical performance thresholds—can be exported, reexported, or transferred to entities located in, headquartered in, or ultimately owned by parent companies in designated "countries of concern": China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the Maduro regime. It bars general licenses for this purpose, requires detailed certifications to Congress at least 30 days before any such license is approved, and lets Congress block a proposed transfer through an expedited joint resolution. It terminates existing licenses for these transfers, imposes a temporary across-the-board denial of new licenses until a required national security strategy is delivered, and creates an exemption process for "trusted United States persons" meeting security and ownership standards. The bill primarily affects U.S. chip manufacturers and exporters, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, other federal agencies involved in export policy, and any foreign entities—especially in China—seeking these chips. It also affects U.S. companies that could qualify as "trusted" persons under new security and ownership rules, easing their compliance burden for transfers outside countries of concern. Introduced December 18, 2025, by Rep. Brian Mast with several cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and has since been ordered reported in the nature of a substitute by a 42-2 committee vote (January 21, 2026). It would next need to be scheduled for floor consideration in the House, then pass the Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 6875 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 6875. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6875?
- H.R. 6875 was sponsored by Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21] (R-FL), with 46 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6875?
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2. (21 Jan 2026).
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