Bills · HR 3961
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3961Armed Forces and National Security
To prohibit the Secretary of Defense from entering into software source code contracts with entities with certain relationships with China, and for other purposes.
INTRO JUN 12· LAST ACTION JUN 12
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses national security concerns related to critical software used by the U.S. military. By restricting contracts with companies linked to certain foreign countries, the bill aims to prevent potential adversaries from gaining access to or exploiting sensitive defense technology. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to a more secure defense software supply chain, but it might also limit the pool of available contractors for the DoD, potentially impacting innovation or cost.
If the bill does not become law, the DoD would continue to operate under existing contracting rules, potentially allowing entities with connections to foreign adversaries to provide software source code. This could leave U.S. defense systems more vulnerable to cyber espionage or sabotage, a significant concern in today's interconnected world where technology plays a crucial role in national defense.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from contracting for software source code with entities that own or operate AI research facilities in 'covered countries'.
This prevents foreign adversaries from potentially leveraging U.S. defense software knowledge through their AI development efforts.
PROVISION 02
Bars contracts with entities that have allowed 'covered countries' to access software or source code in a way that could lead to reverse engineering.
This directly protects the intellectual property and functionality of defense software from being copied or exploited.
PROVISION 03
Forbids contracts with entities that operate data centers in 'covered countries' relevant to the software source code.
This aims to prevent sensitive defense software data from being stored or processed in locations accessible by foreign adversaries.
PROVISION 04
Allows the Secretary of Defense to waive these prohibitions if it's in the national security interest of the United States.
This provides flexibility for the DoD to acquire essential software if no suitable alternative exists, even with these restrictions.
PROVISION 05
The prohibitions apply only to contracts entered into, renewed, or extended within three years after the bill's enactment.
This sets a specific timeframe for the application of these new rules, indicating an initial focus period for these security measures.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 6 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 12
Introduced in House
JUN 12
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 3961
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 12, 2025
Last actionJun 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 12, 2025
House BillHR 3961Armed Forces and National Security
To prohibit the Secretary of Defense from entering into software source code contracts with entities with certain relationships with China, and for other purposes.
INTRODUCED JUN 12, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
