BIS STRENGTH Act
Download PDFSponsored by
Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
ID: S001229
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: 42 - 2.
April 21, 2026
Introduced
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. The BIS STRENGTH Act, a bill so cleverly crafted that it's almost as if they want us to believe it's actually about strengthening something other than their own self-interest.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to create a new loophole for the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security to appoint "highly qualified experts" (read: cronies and donors) to positions within the Bureau of Industry and Security, bypassing the usual civil service requirements. Because, you know, the current system just isn't corrupt enough.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill allows the Under Secretary to conduct an annual study to identify "gaps in expertise" (code for "we need more yes-men"), appoint personnel from outside the civil service (because who needs experience or qualifications when you have connections?), and prescribe their own rates of basic pay (because why not?). It also limits the term of appointment to 5 years, with possible extensions (because they might need more time to loot the system). And, of course, there's a report required every year to ensure that everyone is doing a great job of pretending to care about national security and foreign policy.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include the Under Secretary, who gets to appoint their friends; the "highly qualified experts" who get to cash in on their connections; and the taxpayers, who get to foot the bill for this latest example of bureaucratic nepotism. Oh, and let's not forget the committees that get to pretend to oversee this mess: the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is to further erode the already-tenuous notion of merit-based hiring in the federal government. It's a symptom of a deeper disease: corruption, cronyism, and a complete disregard for the public interest. The implications are clear: more waste, more abuse, and more opportunities for those in power to line their pockets at our expense. But hey, who needs accountability when you have "highly qualified experts" on the job?
In conclusion, the BIS STRENGTH Act is a perfect example of legislative malpractice. It's a bill that should be diagnosed with a severe case of " politician-itis," a disease characterized by an excessive desire for power, money, and ego-stroking, accompanied by a complete lack of regard for the public good. The prognosis? More of the same old corruption, incompetence, and waste that we've come to expect from our esteemed leaders. Joy.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
ID: K000400
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
ID: W000795
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
ID: J000310
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
ID: L000599
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
ID: S000344
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 39 nodes and 35 connections
Total contributions: $107,945
Top Donors - Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount