MATCH Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8170
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-22: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 8.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T08:06:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act (MATCH Act) aims to restrict exports of critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) and its components to protect U.S. national security advantages in advanced computing technologies, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. It seeks to align U.S. allies on export controls or impose unilateral U.S. restrictions if allies fail to comply, targeting facilities in "countries of concern" (e.g., China, Russia) to prevent their production of advanced-node integrated circuits (chips made with cutting-edge manufacturing processes).
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Declares export controls on SME as vital to counter adversaries like China, naming specific Chinese firms (e.g., SMIC, YMTC, Huawei) involved in military-civil fusion efforts. Urges close coordination with allies.
- Identification of Chokepoints: Within 60 days of enactment (and annually), agencies identify and report "covered SME" (equipment or components not mass-produced at comparable quality by countries of concern, including photolithography machines and others) and "covered facilities" (fabs in countries of concern producing advanced chips, or those owned/controlled by listed entities).
- Diplomatic Engagement: Agencies prioritize talks with "allied supplier countries" (non-concern countries producing SME, e.g., Netherlands, Japan) to adopt matching controls and license denials for exports/servicing to covered facilities. Briefing required within 90 days.
- Unilateral Controls if Needed: Within 150 days, if allies do not comply (certified or listed), U.S. imposes:
- Countrywide controls on covered SME from non-compliant allies (using U.S. jurisdiction over components).
- License requirements with denial policy for servicing or exporting "applicable items" (broadly defined U.S.-controlled or U.S. content items) to covered facilities.
- Waivers and Oversight: One-time 90-day national security waiver possible with Defense/Energy concurrence. Annual reports, certifications, and termination/reimposition of controls based on ally compliance.
- Sunset and Procedures: Expires in 5 years; follows standard rulemaking under Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) with judicial review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands U.S. export controls beyond direct U.S.-origin items to foreign-produced SME from non-compliant allies via "direct product rules" (controls items made from U.S. tech) and "de minimis" rules (any U.S. content triggers controls).
- Mandates aggressive diplomatic timelines and automatic unilateral action, unlike prior voluntary multilateral efforts (e.g., Wassenaar Arrangement).
- Targets servicing (maintenance, repairs, software updates) of equipment at covered facilities with denial policies.
- Introduces annual chokepoint reviews and certifications, building on but formalizing ECRA authorities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for Commerce (Bureau of Industry and Security), State, Defense, and Energy on reviews, diplomacy, rulemaking, and reports; potential for strained resources.
- Citizens and Businesses: U.S. and allied SME firms face new licensing hurdles, possible revenue losses from denied sales/servicing; indirect effects on U.S. consumers via supply chain costs for chips/electronics.
- International Relations: Pressures allies to align (risking tensions if resisted); strengthens U.S.-ally bloc against countries of concern but may prompt retaliation (e.g., Chinese stockpiling or countermeasures).
Main Stakeholders
- U.S. Government Agencies: Covered agency heads (Commerce Under Secretary for Industry and Security, State Secretary, with Energy/Defense).
- U.S. and Allied Companies: Producers of SME (e.g., ASML in Netherlands, Applied Materials in U.S.) affected by controls.
- Adversary Entities: Chinese firms (e.g., SMIC, YMTC, Huawei, NAURA) and facilities blocked from U.S./allied tech.
- Allied Governments: Supplier nations (e.g., Japan, Netherlands, South Korea) facing U.S. pressure.
- Congress: Appropriate committees (Senate Banking, House Foreign Affairs) receive reports/briefings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on ECRA (50 U.S.C. §4801 et seq.) for authority; ensures Administrative Procedure Act compliance and judicial review, minimizing due process challenges.
- Constitutional: Advances national security via commerce powers (Export Clause); no direct First Amendment issues as controls target goods/tech, not speech.
- Political: Bipartisan emphasis on semiconductor security; 5-year sunset allows reassessment; risks escalation in U.S.-China tech rivalry but promotes allied unity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
Cosponsors (29)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-22: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 8.
- 2026-04-22: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-04-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act — issued 2026-04-02 — PDF (18 pages)