Committee member urges limits on exports of advanced chipmaking tools to China

A committee member urged colleagues to support legislation that would restrict exports of advanced chipmaking equipment to China, saying such gear is critical to maintaining U.S. military advantage.

"The importance of advanced chips in today's military operations in no way, shape, or form could be overstated," the committee member said, arguing that chips and artificial intelligence compress decision timelines "that could take months or years down to weeks or days." The speaker framed the issue as one of national security rather than commercial competition.

To illustrate the point, the member cited current conflicts, saying, "This is recognized in the war between Ukraine and Russia. It's recognized in this conflict between the United States and Iran." The remarks were intended to show how chip-enabled systems are already changing battlefield outcomes.

The speaker singled out Dutch firm ASML and its equipment, describing company exhibits at China's annual semiconductor expo as evidence of Beijing's drive to close the technology gap. "They are there to sell their super advanced chipmaking tools," the committee member said, referring to high-end lithography systems known as DUV immersion lithography machines.

Arguing for export restrictions, the member said, "Without these tools, China cannot make their own chips. They're left in the dust. They can't do it without. The math is that simple," and said the proposed legislation would "limit China's access to the most critical machines and the parts needed to make advanced chips and then work with our allies to agree to work on agreed shared restrictions for selling those tools to China." The member raised practical questions about which machines or parts would be restricted and who could provide technical support.

The committee member closed by thanking the bill sponsor and urging colleagues to back the measure, saying, "I want to thank [the sponsor] for leading this bill and I urge my colleagues to support." The transcript does not record a vote or formal action on the legislation.