Bill · H.R. 2989· House(119-HR-2989)
Time to Choose Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/24/2025
- Last activity
- 4/24/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Robert Bresnahan
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill stops consulting firms from doing business with the United States Government if they also provide consulting services to certain foreign entities, like China or Russia. It requires these firms to certify that they do not have any contracts with those covered foreign entities before they can get a federal contract. The bill allows for strict waivers in national security cases if specific reporting and approval rules are met. It also imposes penalties, including contract termination and False Claims Act violations, for firms that lie on their certifications. Finally, the legislation ensures that no extra money is authorized to carry out these rules.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
Requires public disclosure of waiver-granted entities and their foreign ties.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
Increases federal oversight and control over the eligibility of consulting contractors.
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+2
Requires contractors with waivers to report religious liberty violations discovered during their work.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
Consulting business owners must choose between U.S. government contracts and those with covered foreign entities.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The certification process adds administrative burdens to consulting firms.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protects National Security: Section 2 and Section 3 aim to stop consulting firms from helping foreign adversaries build economic and military power that could be used against the American people. This prevents companies from working for both the United States defense agencies and foreign threats at the same time.
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Accountability for Lying: Section 4 ensures that consulting firms face serious penalties, such as contract termination, suspension, debarment, and liability under the False Claims Act, if they knowingly submit false information or hide contracts with foreign entities.
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Reporting on Abuses: Section 3(b)(3) requires contractors who receive a waiver to report any known human rights violations, religious liberty violations, or economic and national security risks that they discover during their work with covered foreign entities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Contractor Options for Agencies: Section 3(a)(2) completely prohibits federal agencies from awarding consulting contracts to any firm that also consults for a covered foreign entity, which could reduce the pool of available experts for government projects unless a difficult waiver process is used.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2Improves Small Business Support-2
- 4/24/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.