PROTECT USA Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9385
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-27T04:07:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to shield U.S. businesses essential to national interests from complying with foreign laws that impose sustainability due diligence requirements on operations or supply chains.
Key Provisions
- Definitions
- An "entity integral to the national interests of the United States" includes U.S.-organized companies with substantial domestic operations or those designated by the President.
- A "foreign sustainability due diligence regulation" covers foreign laws requiring assessment of environmental or social impacts, corrective actions, and reporting in a company's operations or value chain. This explicitly includes the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and related measures, but excludes rules substantially similar to U.S. federal laws.
- Prohibition on Compliance
- Covered entities may not follow such foreign regulations, except when complying with U.S. statutes or performing ordinary business activities like responding to consumer or investor requests.
- Hardship Relief
- Entities facing significant hardship may petition the President for an exemption. Petitions are generally approved unless the President denies them within 30 days with a written explanation citing national interest concerns and possible conditions for approval.
- Protection from Adverse Actions
- No person may take adverse action against covered entities for following this law.
- Foreign court judgments related to these regulations are not enforceable in U.S. courts unless authorized by Congress.
- The President must act to protect entities when in the public interest, considering effects on U.S. consumers, businesses, energy security, and foreign relations. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000,000.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates new federal prohibitions on participation in specified foreign regulatory regimes and establishes mechanisms to block enforcement of related foreign judgments, which do not currently exist in U.S. law.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases presidential oversight of international business compliance and enforcement actions.
- Citizens and businesses: Protects U.S. companies in energy, mining, manufacturing, and related sectors from extraterritorial foreign rules, potentially preserving supply chains and employment but limiting flexibility in global markets.
- International relations: May strain ties with the European Union and other jurisdictions by rejecting their regulatory frameworks and shielding U.S. firms from associated liabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. companies in extractive and manufacturing industries.
- The President and federal courts.
- Foreign governments and regulators, particularly the European Union.
- U.S. consumers, investors, and workers reliant on affected supply chains.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure asserts U.S. authority over domestic entities' international activities, potentially raising issues related to foreign commerce powers and the recognition of foreign judgments. It emphasizes national sovereignty in regulatory matters while providing limited flexibility through presidential waivers.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-22: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Prevent Regulatory Overreach from Turning Essential Companies into Targets Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-22 — PDF (9 pages)