H.R. 10736: Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act

This bill would bar federal agencies from buying computers or printers if the manufacturer, bidder, or seller is a covered Chinese entity. In plain terms, if a company is owned, controlled, directed, affiliated with, or otherwise connected to the Chinese government, federal agencies generally could not purchase its computers or printers.

What counts as a covered Chinese entity

The bill defines this broadly. A covered Chinese entity would be one that the Secretary of Defense, working with intelligence or FBI leadership, determines is connected to the government of the People’s Republic of China in one of several ways, including ownership, control, direction, subcontracting, or affiliation.

What equipment is covered

The bill covers a wide range of:

• Computers, including data-processing devices and related storage or communications facilities
• Printers, including desktop printers, multifunction copier/printers, all-in-one devices, floor-standing printers, household printers, and printer-fax combinations

It does not cover some smaller or embedded devices, such as handheld calculators, automated typewriters, point-of-sale receipt printers, label makers, or non-standalone printers built into other products.

When the ban would apply

The restriction would apply to contracts or agreements entered into, renewed, or extended after the bill becomes law. It would not automatically cancel earlier agreements unless they are renewed or extended after enactment.

Waiver option

The President could waive the prohibition, but only if the President decides that doing so would be against U.S. national security interests and sends that determination to Congress.

Overall effect

The practical effect would be to require federal agencies to avoid buying certain computer and printer equipment from companies linked to the Chinese government, while leaving room for a national-security-based exception in special cases.

Relevant Companies

None found