Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-6322119th CongressWALLET
Stop Stealing our Chips Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
In Committee
Summary
A whistleblower incentive program for export-control violations would pay rewards and add legal protections for people who report information that leads to enforcement actions. It pairs financial bounties with confidentiality and anti-retaliation rules to encourage tips about illegal exports.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Cash rewards for export whistleblowers
If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would set up a whistleblower reward program and online portal within 120 days. You would be eligible for an award only if your original tip led to an imposed fine greater than $1,000,000 or to forfeiture that produced net proceeds to the new Fund. For any successful action, total awards would equal between 10% and 30% of the amount actually collected; the Secretary would decide each person’s share and may split awards among multiple reporters. The Secretary would make an initial credibility decision within 60 days, start a formal investigation if the tip is credible, and give you status updates at 60 days and at least every 180 days. You could report anonymously, but the Secretary could require that you reveal your identity to receive an award. The Secretary could bar repeat frivolous reporters and must publicize the program (publicity costs may be paid from amounts appropriated to the Bureau of Industry and Security).
New export enforcement fund rules
If enacted, the Treasury would get a new Export Compliance Accountability Fund within 90 days. Fines and forfeiture proceeds from actions that depended on whistleblower information would be deposited into the Fund. The Fund would be available without further appropriation to pay whistleblower awards and to support the program (investigations, training, IT, and recordkeeping), and after all awards are paid it could fund enforcement expenses. The Fund must keep at least $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or enough to satisfy pending awards, and any leftover deposited amounts after paying that fiscal year's expenses would be transferred to the Treasury general fund at year end.
Worker anti-retaliation and remedies
If enacted, employers would be barred from blocking your direct report to the Commerce Department or punishing you for reporting export-control concerns or assisting investigations. You would be able to sue in U.S. district court for retaliation. If you prevail, you could get reinstatement with the same seniority, two times your back pay with interest, and payment of litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorneys' fees. You would not be protected if you knowingly reported false information. A claim must be filed within 6 years of the violation or within 3 years after you knew the material facts, but in no event more than 10 years after the violation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 11/28/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]
MI • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
TX • R
Sponsored 12/12/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
AR • R
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]
IL • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov