H.R.1679 - Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1679, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025, directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an interagency review and report to Congress on ways to increase the global competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The review will focus on attracting investment from responsible private-sector entities based in trusted countries. It also addresses concerns about investment from state-directed economies, particularly those influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.
The bill emphasizes enhancing U.S. economic prosperity and security by removing barriers to FDI and promoting policies that maintain the U.S. as a premier global investment destination. It also calls for addressing barriers to digital trade and protecting intellectual property rights.
The Act requires a report to Congress within one year, including recommendations to increase global competitiveness while maintaining security, labor, consumer, financial, and environmental protections.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to a comprehensive review of U.S. policies related to foreign direct investment. This review could result in new policies and strategies aimed at attracting more FDI from trusted countries.
It may also lead to stricter scrutiny of investments from countries considered to be economic or security threats, particularly China. Ultimately, the goal is to bolster the U.S. economy and technological leadership.
Potential Benefits
- Increased foreign direct investment from trusted countries, leading to economic growth and job creation.
- Enhanced global competitiveness of the United States in attracting investment.
- Promotion of policies that ensure the U.S. remains a premier destination for investment, innovation, and manufacturing.
- Strengthening of supply chains and reduction of dependence on potentially adversarial nations.
- Addressing barriers to digital trade and protecting intellectual property rights.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased scrutiny and restrictions on investments from certain countries, which could strain international relations.
- The definition of "trusted countries" may be subject to political considerations and could change over time.
- The focus on attracting FDI might overshadow the importance of domestic investment and could create an uneven playing field.
- The review process could be time-consuming and may not result in immediate or tangible benefits.
- Overemphasis on security concerns could deter legitimate foreign investment.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The bill's focus on attracting foreign direct investment and addressing barriers to trade falls under this power.
The bill also implicitly relates to the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18), as it empowers Congress to enact laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers, such as regulating commerce. The emphasis on protecting intellectual property rights also aligns with the Constitution's provision for Congress to secure exclusive rights to inventions (Article I, Section 8, Clause 8).
However, the bill's potential restrictions on investment from certain countries could raise concerns about equal protection under the law, although these concerns are mitigated by the focus on national security and economic interests.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).