Congress·In Progress·H.R. 7003

BIS STRENGTH Act

Hiring Tech Experts for Trade and National Security

6 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Congress is considering a plan to help the Bureau of Industry and Security hire top-tier experts in technology and trade. This agency is responsible for keeping sensitive American technology out of the wrong hands, and they need specialized knowledge to keep up with fast-moving industries.
The bill would allow the agency to hire up to 25 experts from outside the traditional government hiring system. This makes it easier to recruit people from the private sector who have specific skills that are currently missing within the government workforce.
To attract these highly skilled workers, the agency would be allowed to offer higher pay than most government jobs. While the pay would be more competitive with private companies, it cannot be higher than what the Vice President of the United States earns.
These experts would be hired for up to five years, with a possible one-year extension if it helps national security. This ensures the government gets the help it needs for specific projects without making these high-paying roles permanent lifetime positions.
The agency must report to Congress every year about who they are hiring and how these experts are helping protect the country. Even though the hiring process is faster, all new hires must still pass the same background checks as any other government employee.

Impact Analysis

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Milestones

3 milestones4 actions

Apr 22, 2026House

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Apr 22, 2026House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 9, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Jan 9, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

BIS STRENGTH Act

Bill NumberHR 7003

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)

D: 3R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.