Bills · HR 7688
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7688Strategic materials and reservesSupply chain
DPA Modernization Act of 2026
INTRO FEB 25· LAST ACTION APR 15
READING
45MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it significantly changes a powerful law that allows the government to directly influence private industry during crises. If it becomes law, it means future Presidents would have less discretion to unilaterally invoke DPA powers, potentially preventing their use for situations not explicitly defined as a national emergency, natural disaster, or public health crisis. This could lead to a more constrained government response in certain situations, but also provides more predictability and less potential for overreach.
For businesses, the changes to loans and loan guarantees could make it easier to get larger amounts of funding for critical production, but with clearer, and potentially stricter, terms regarding repayment and collateral. Voters should care because the DPA has been used during various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to ramp up production of essential supplies. This bill reshapes how quickly and under what conditions such actions can be taken in the future, impacting the government's ability to respond to future national challenges.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Limits the use of DPA powers to specific, officially declared national emergencies, natural disasters (Stafford Act), or public health emergencies (HHS Secretary determination).
This significantly narrows the scope of presidential authority under the DPA, requiring specific triggers for its use.
PROVISION 02
Shifts authority for authorizing DPA loans and loan guarantees from the President to the "Fund manager of the Defense Production Act Fund" and the "Defense Production Act Committee," requiring their concurrence or coordination.
This diffuses power and adds more administrative oversight to the process of providing financial aid to industries.
PROVISION 03
Increases the maximum amount for certain DPA loans and loan guarantees from $50 million to $100 million.
This allows for larger financial assistance to companies to expand production of critical items.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that DPA loans be secured by a first-priority lien on collateral and that any unpaid portion of a defaulted loan takes priority over all other unsecured claims.
This strengthens the government's ability to recover funds from defaulted loans, making DPA financial assistance more secure for taxpayers.
PROVISION 05
Increases the maximum fine for certain DPA violations from $10,000 to $100,000.
This increases the deterrent for non-compliance with DPA orders.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
R· Ohio
YRS IN OFFICE
10
BILLS LED
43
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 2 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
10 EVENTSAPR 15
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-611.
APR 15
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 529.
MAR 4
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
MAR 4
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7688
Congress119th
StatusReported
IntroducedFeb 25, 2026
Last actionApr 15, 2026
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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2026
House BillHR 7688Strategic materials and reservesSupply chain
DPA Modernization Act of 2026
INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 15, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
45 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
