The White House has announced an increase in funding for the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). In response, Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on China expressed his support for this decision. He stated, “I fully support the increase in BIS funding, as recommended by the Select Committee on China in our recent DeepSeek investigation. However, funding alone isn’t enough to finish the job. We need to modernize BIS from top to bottom—giving it the structure, authorities, and urgency needed to stop the Chinese Communist Party from exploiting American technology. I look forward to working with the administration to deliver real results.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is responsible for enforcing export controls on sensitive technologies crucial for U.S. national security. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been actively seeking advanced semiconductors, AI tools, and other dual-use technologies through illicit networks that take advantage of gaps in U.S. oversight.
In March 2025, the Select Committee released its DeepSeek report highlighting how the CCP circumvents export control laws to acquire advanced U.S. technology. One key recommendation was a significant increase in funding and resources for BIS to improve screening, enforcement, and coordination with allies.
The new funding aims to expand BIS enforcement staff to investigate export violations and prevent illegal tech transfers. It will also modernize screening systems to detect shell companies used by the CCP and improve coordination with U.S. allies against tech theft. Additionally, it seeks to bolster licensing review capacity by reducing backlogs and enhancing scrutiny of high-risk exports.
The CCP’s acquisition of American innovation poses a threat as advanced U.S. technologies are reportedly being used in Chinese military applications such as drones and missiles through loopholes in export controls and weak enforcement.
BIS serves as a frontline defense but is currently outdated and under-resourced compared to the CCP’s extensive procurement networks. The use of U.S.-origin technology by the CCP endangers global freedom, U.S. troops’ security, and future manufacturing innovations.
