Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is renewing a legislative push to cut financial ties between the U.S. government and Chinese solar manufacturers. Spearheading the “Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2025,” Scott aims to strictly prohibit federal agencies from using tax dollars to purchase solar panels manufactured or assembled in the People’s Republic of China.
The bill, cosponsored in the Senate by Josh Hawley (R-MO) and led in the House by Congressman Carlos Giménez (R-FL), frames the issue as a dual matter of economic security and human rights. Scott argues that current federal procurement practices inadvertently support an adversary known for forced labor abuses while undercutting American manufacturing.
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“Communist China has exploited every single loophole possible to gain footholds in our nation’s industries and undermine us,” Scott stated upon introducing the bill. “Americans’ taxpayer dollars should always prioritize American jobs… not support Communist China and its use of forced or slave labor.”
If enacted, the legislation would mandate significant changes to federal acquisition rules within 180 days. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) would be required to prohibit federal funds—including contracts, grants, and government purchase cards—from flowing to any entity domiciled in China or subject to the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Strict Prohibitions: A ban on procuring crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules from “covered entities” linked to China.
- Compliance Timeline: The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council must update regulations to reflect these bans within six months of the bill’s passage.
- Waiver System: Agencies can only bypass the ban if the head of the agency certifies that the Chinese entity is the “only viable source.” This waiver requires joint approval from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Market Study: The bill mandates an independent study to assess the domestic solar market’s ability to keep pace with technological advancements and supply chain demands.
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Congressman Giménez, supporting the House companion bill, emphasized the urgency of the measure, describing Beijing as being at “America’s 20-yard line.”
“The Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act will… move us toward true American independence from the murderous regime in Beijing,” Giménez said.
The Comptroller General would also be required to submit a report to Congress within 275 days detailing exactly how many solar panels federal departments are currently buying from Chinese entities.
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