To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to increase the civil penalties that may be imposed under such Act.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5853
Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

ID: S001224

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

April 21, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant example of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. Let's dissect this masterpiece, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Oh, wow, I'm sure it's just a coincidence that this bill is sponsored by Mr. Self and Mr. McCaul, two paragons of virtue and selflessness. The main purpose of HR 5853 is to increase the civil penalties for violating the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. Because, you know, the current penalties of $300,000 just weren't enough to deter those pesky exporters from breaking the law. I mean, who needs due process when you can just quadruple the fines and call it a day?

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 1760(c)(1)(A) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 by increasing the maximum civil penalty from $300,000 to $1,200,000. And, because they're feeling extra generous, they're also changing the penalty calculation from "twice the value of the transaction" to "four times the value of the transaction". Because who needs subtlety when you can just bludgeon people with fines? It's like they're trying to win an award for Most Creative Way to Strangle Small Businesses.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Oh, this bill will affect a wide range of stakeholders, from exporters and importers to lawyers and accountants. But let's be real, the only ones who will actually benefit from this bill are the politicians who sponsored it and the lobbyists who wrote it. I mean, who needs actual policy expertise when you can just pay someone to write a bill that benefits your special interest group?

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is staggering. It's like they're trying to create a new industry: Export Control Reform Act compliance consulting. Just think of all the jobs that will be created by this bill! Lawyers, accountants, and consultants will be lining up around the block to help companies navigate the complexities of this new law. And, of course, the politicians who sponsored it will get to take credit for "toughening up" on exporters. It's a win-win for everyone... except, you know, the actual exporters and small businesses that will be crushed by these draconian fines.

In conclusion, HR 5853 is a masterclass in legislative cynicism. It's a bill designed to benefit special interest groups, line the pockets of politicians and lobbyists, and strangle small businesses with red tape. But hey, who needs actual policy expertise when you can just throw money at the problem and call it a day? It's like they say: "If at first you don't succeed, quadruple the fines and pretend you're doing something useful."

Related Topics

Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Federal Budget & Appropriations Government Operations & Accountability Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$105,700
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$105,400

No PAC contributions found

1
TUCKER HILL HOA
1 transaction
$300

No committee contributions found

1
CHALIN, THOMAS
2 transactions
$11,600
2
MULLIGI, GINO
1 transaction
$9,000
3
FRITCHER, SAMMY
1 transaction
$6,600
4
LOBB, PAT
1 transaction
$6,600
5
MYERS, ROBERT
1 transaction
$6,600
6
HUFFINES, RAY
1 transaction
$6,600
7
MOSES, FRED
1 transaction
$6,600
8
LI, QINGSONG
1 transaction
$6,000
9
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
1 transaction
$5,800
10
HILTON, W.D.
1 transaction
$5,000
11
KORCA, YLBER
1 transaction
$5,000
12
SMAJLI, MARIO
1 transaction
$5,000
13
KRASNIQI, BLERINA
1 transaction
$4,500
14
QUILLIN, GEORGE
1 transaction
$4,000
15
ADAMS, CAROL A
1 transaction
$3,300
16
DEASON, DARWIN
1 transaction
$3,300
17
MCCLELLAND, MARK
1 transaction
$3,300
18
KELLOGG, DAVID H
1 transaction
$3,300
19
HILTON, MARY JEAN
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]

ID: M001157

Top Contributors

10

1
SOUTH SPUR LP
Organization HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Jan 31, 2024
2
TRACEY FOX KING & WALTERS
Organization HOUSTON, TX
$1,000
Feb 17, 2023
3
CHILDS, JOHN W.
JW CHILDS ASSOCIATES OWNER
Individual VERO BEACH, FL
$50,000
Dec 12, 2023
4
LANIER, BECKY MRS.
LANIER LAW FIRM ATTORNEY
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Mar 4, 2024
5
LANIER, MARK W.
LANIER LAW FIRM ATTORNEY
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$50,000
Mar 4, 2024
6
CHILDS, JOHN W
Individual VERO BEACH, FL
$38,400
Mar 15, 2024
7
CHILDS, JOHN W.
JW CHILDS ASSOCIATES OWNER
Individual VERO BEACH, FL
$38,400
May 7, 2024
8
CHILDS, JOHN W
Individual VERO BEACH, FL
$33,400
Nov 14, 2024
9
CARLTON, C. CRAIG MR.
C.C. CARLTON INDUSTRIES OWNER
Individual AUSTIN, TX
$25,000
Feb 13, 2024
10
LUROS, HILARY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SUGAR LAND, TX
$25,000
Feb 27, 2024

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

ID: L000599

Top Contributors

10

1
MURTAGH, COSSU, VENDITTI & CASTRO-BLANCO, LLP
Organization WHITE PLAINS, NY
$1,000
Feb 24, 2024
2
BATMASIAN, JAMES
INVESTMENTS LIMITED OWNER
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 27, 2023
3
BATMASIAN, JAMES
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
4
AUSTIN, ROBERT
UNAKA CO., INC. BUSINESSMAN
Individual DALLAS, TX
$6,600
Jul 18, 2024
5
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 15, 2024
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 22, 2024
7
SCALA, MARY ELLEN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual PORT CHESTER, NY
$5,300
Aug 27, 2023
8
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
SELF PRESIDENT
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 24, 2024
9
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 25, 2024
10
PERLMUTTER, RAFUEL
GOLDEN TASTE CEO
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,400
Jun 24, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 28 nodes and 27 connections

Total contributions: $174,200

Top Donors - Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

1 Org19 Individuals