Efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to permit Nvidia’s sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China have encountered strong resistance from congressional leaders, including key members of his own party. The debate has led to legislative proposals aiming to enhance congressional oversight and tighten controls over critical technology exports.
This week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee began consideration of the AI Overwatch Act, legislation designed to heighten Congress’s authority over the export of advanced AI semiconductors. The bill, introduced by Committee Chairman Brian Mast, would require both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Banking Committee to approve licenses for shipments of high-performance chips within a 30-day window and enable lawmakers to block such transactions through a joint resolution.
The move follows plans by the Trump administration to authorize Nvidia to supply its H200 AI chips—devices that exceed the capabilities of processors currently allowed for foreign sale—to customers in China.
Should the AI Overwatch Act pass, it would nullify existing export licenses for these AI chips and implement a temporary suspension on such transfers until the White House outlines a national security strategy regarding AI exports. Companies deemed “trusted” by U.S. regulators would be eligible for limited exemptions, provided their compliance with established security protocols.
Congressional proponents of the bill describe the proposed sales as a national security concern, referencing intended recipients such as Alibaba and Tencent, and emphasizing the potential military significance of the technology. The bill’s supporters include Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the Select Committee on China, who characterized the measure as essential for safeguarding U.S. technological leadership.
Last month, a bipartisan group led by Senators Pete Ricketts and Chris Coons introduced the SAFE CHIPS Act. This separate proposal would obligate the Commerce Department to deny any license requests for supplying advanced AI chips to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea for 30 months, after which Congress would receive advance notice of proposed regulatory changes.
The bill, supported by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, seeks to delay prospects of expanded access for Chinese buyers, with Ricketts citing national security as a concern to focus on.
