Right-leaning US groups push chip curbs

Right-leaning US groups are lobbying House leaders to pass three bills aimed at limiting China's access to artificial intelligence chips and manufacturing equipment. These measures, which are included in the Senate's version of annual defense policy legislation, were championed by American Compass, the Foundation for American Innovation, and Heritage Action.

The groups urged Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise to ensure the bills are incorporated into the final defense legislation for fiscal year 2027. The groups argued that dominance in the design and manufacture of advanced AI semiconductors is a crucial national and economic security matter for the United States and its allies.

They warned that permitting adversaries to purchase or access necessary chips and tools to challenge that dominance poses a dangerous and shortsighted risk. However, passing the bills may prove challenging, as the proposals - known as the AI OVERWATCH Act, MATCH Act, and Chip Security Act - currently face opposition from both the White House and the technology industry.