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Proposed Amendment to Define 'Covered AI Chips' for Defense Export Controls

Original title: Text of Senate Amendment 6390

June 24, 2026

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Finance Connection

Notable money activity
$2,500across 2 reported contributions
Trace money trail →
CandidateDonorAmountIndustryDate
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATEJONES, ROBERT$1,500LIFE INSURANCEMar 2026
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATETHOMAS, LAUREN$1,000CEOMar 2026

Reported financial relationships and timing signals. This does not prove motive or influence. Readers draw their own conclusions.

The Frame

What this does

This amendment defines which specific high-performance AI hardware will be subject to U.S. export control regulations under the 2027 defense authorization bill, directly impacting manufacturers and exporters of advanced semiconductor technology.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Semiconductor manufacturers

Companies producing advanced AI chips must comply with export control classifications defined by this amendment.

Department of Defense

The agency's regulatory oversight of defense-related technology exports is impacted by the new definitions.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Background

  • Catherine Cortez Masto is a U.S. Senator representing Nevada. context
  • S. 4784 is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, which sets policy and funding levels for the Department of Defense. context

Summary

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has submitted an amendment to the 2027 defense authorization bill that establishes a formal definition for 'covered AI chips.' This definition sets specific technical performance thresholds and origin requirements to identify advanced integrated circuits subject to potential export restrictions.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This amendment defines which specific high-performance AI hardware will be subject to U.S. export control regulations under the 2027 defense authorization bill, directly impacting manufacturers and exporters of advanced semiconductor technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this amendment actually do?
It creates a precise technical definition for 'covered AI chips' within the context of the 2027 defense authorization bill, which helps clarify which hardware is subject to U.S. export controls.
Does this amendment apply to chips made outside the U.S.?
Yes, the definition includes items produced abroad if they utilize U.S.-origin intellectual property, design software, or semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Standardization of AI Hardware Definitions

The amendment moves toward highly granular, performance-based metrics (processing performance, density, and bandwidth) to define restricted AI technology, rather than relying solely on broad product categories.

Connected Entities

organizationDepartment of DefenseAgency whose military activities are authorized by the underlying bill.Map →
organizationDepartment of EnergyAgency whose defense activities are authorized by the underlying bill.Map →
organizationGovernment Publishing OfficePublisher of the Congressional Record.Map →
personCatherine Cortez MastoU.S. Senator who submitted the amendment.Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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