Bill > HR4279

This bill aims to prohibit U.S. companies deemed "integral to national interests" from complying with foreign sustainability regulations, particularly targeting the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The bill defines entities as "integral to national interests" if they do business with the federal government, are organized in the U.S., and operate in sectors like extractive industries (agriculture, energy, mining), manufacturing, national defense production, or critical mineral processing. Under the bill, these entities are forbidden from following foreign sustainability regulations that require environmental or social impact assessments, mitigation actions, or reporting. Companies facing potential hardship can petition the President for an exemption, with the President considering factors like economic impact and value chain disruption. The bill also provides legal protections for affected companies, including a private right of action against entities that take adverse actions due to non-compliance with foreign sustainability regulations, with potential penalties up to $1 million and temporary federal contract ineligibility. The legislation is framed as protecting U.S. business interests from what it characterizes as unreasonable foreign regulatory requirements that could negatively impact U.S. economic and strategic objectives.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4279/all-info