Sen. Shaheen and Sen. Ricketts Push $500 Million Plan to Help Allies Buy American Tech Over China
This bill was recently introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Relations. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
The bill has strong bipartisan support and addresses a major national security priority regarding China, but it faces hurdles due to the large amount of new spending required.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
The bill creates a new Office of United States Technology Procurement within the State Department, with a director, deputy director, and up to 10 additional hires under special hiring authority. It also calls for placing full-time tech-proficient staff at U.S. embassies in participating countries, creating new positions for federal workers with cybersecurity and technology expertise.
“the Secretary of State may-- (1) appoint up to 10 employees to positions without regard to the provisions of subchapter 1 of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, regarding appointments in the competitive service”
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
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.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
The U.S. Tech PATH Act would create an Office of U.S. Technology Procurement within the State Department. The bill aims to streamline sales of cyber and digital technology, including AI, to allied governments, modeled after existing programs for arms exports.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Pete Ricketts introduced the U.S. Technology Procurement and Access to Trusted Hardware (U.S. Tech PATH) Act. The bill directs the State Department to develop a procurement program with $500 million in funding over five years to counter Chinese tech influence.
Senators Shaheen and Ricketts introduced the U.S. Tech PATH Act to streamline the procurement of American cyber and digital technology by partner countries. The legislation aims to boost the U.S. economy and improve the ability to compete with Chinese technology providers.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
U.S. Tech PATH Act
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