H.R. 7003 · In committee · Government Operations and Politics

BIS STRENGTH Act

What it does

Authorizes the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security to appoint up to 25 highly qualified experts from outside the civil service to fill identified expertise gaps at the Bureau, with appointments limited to 5 years (extendable by one additional year if necessary for national security or foreign policy).
Permits the Under Secretary to set basic pay for appointed experts up to the maximum rate for senior-level positions under title 5, section 5376, plus locality-based comparability payments, with total annual compensation capped at the Vice President's salary.
Requires the Under Secretary to submit a report within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter to the Committees on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (Senate), Oversight and Government Reform (House), and Foreign Affairs (House), detailing identified expertise gaps, civil service recruitment steps.
Terminates the appointment authority five years after enactment of the section.

Apr 22, 2026: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 2.

Committee: House Foreign Affairs