Congressional leaders back tighter chip export controls in defense bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries support strengthening chip export controls through defense legislation, Semafor reported. Three measures are in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, but negotiators have not agreed to retain them in the final bill. The Chip Security Act would verify exported chips' locations. The MATCH Act targets loopholes involving chipmaking equipment and allied export rules. The AI Overwatch Act would give Congress oversight of Commerce Department licensing decisions for chip sales to countries of concern, including China.