A coalition led by FDD Action is pressing Congress to fold five separate AI and semiconductor export control bills into the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act. The push, which came together by June 17, 2026, reflects a bipartisan group of China hawks who believe the current export control regime has significant gaps. Senators Jim Banks and Tom Cotton are among the loudest voices calling for tighter restrictions.
What’s actually on the table
The AI OVERWATCH Act would reclassify advanced AI chip exports as foreign military sales, giving Congress direct oversight of every major deal. Chipmakers couldn’t ship high-end processors overseas without lawmakers getting a say.
The MATCH Act targets DUV lithography tools — the machines that etch circuit patterns onto silicon wafers and are essential to China’s domestic chip manufacturing ambitions.
The Chip Security Act includes location verification requirements designed to prevent smuggling through third-party rerouting.
