Bill · S. 5379· Senate(119-S-5379)
BIS STRENGTH Act
- Introduced
- 8/7/2026
- Last activity
- 8/7/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Jon Husted
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "BIS STRENGTH Act," aims to give the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security the power to recruit highly qualified experts. The Under Secretary can conduct annual studies to find specific gaps in knowledge or skills that are hard to fill through regular civil service. The bill allows for the appointment of experts from outside the civil service to specific positions in the Bureau. These appointments are subject to pay limits and a maximum service term of 5 years. Additionally, the number of such employees is capped at 25 at any given time. The authority granted by this act is set to expire 5 years after it is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make trade with other countries easier?+5
By enhancing the expertise of the Bureau of Industry and Security, the bill strengthens the administration of export controls which are vital to international trade security.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill expands the recruitment and compensation authority of an executive department official.
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?+3
The bill enhances the Bureau's ability to manage technological handling and export controls through expert staffing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Addressing Bureau Mandates: The Under Secretary can identify and fill gaps in "uncommon, special knowledge, skills, and expertise" that currently constrain the Bureau's ability to fulfill its mandate (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Flexible Recruitment: The Under Secretary has the authority to appoint personnel from outside the traditional civil service to ensure the Bureau has the specific expertise needed (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Competitive Pay: The bill allows the Under Secretary to set pay rates for these experts up to the maximum rate authorized for senior-level positions, including locality-based comparability payments (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Pay Caps: Total annual compensation for these employees cannot exceed the maximum amount payable to the Vice President (Section 2(c)).
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Employment Limitations: Service for these appointed employees is limited to a maximum of 5 years (Section 2(b)).
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Limited Scope of Authority: The authority to hire these experts is not permanent and will cease to be effective 5 years after the act is enacted (Section 2(g)(1)).
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
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+3
- 8/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia