Protecting American Competition Act of 2026

Priority for initial export licenses

If enacted, the bill would require the Under Secretary for Industry and Security to check whether a requested license is the first (initial) license to a named end user. After an initial license is issued, the agency would try to process later applications for the same or similar items to that same end user in a timely way. The bill would require a report within 90 days about how this priority is being implemented, including any changes to licensing policy or officer procedures. It would also require a report no later than one year after enactment, and every year after that, to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Banking Committee listing initial licenses, related applications, and the reasons initial licenses were created. The rule would require consultation with State, Defense, and Energy, but would not let the agency delay or make decisions that would harm U.S. national security or foreign policy.