Rep. Allen introduces bill to prevent federal research grants from going to China
Washington,
January 20, 2023
Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced the American Science First Act, legislation that would close loopholes in federal research funding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could otherwise exploit to finance their own research at the expense of the American taxpayer. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the National Science Foundation (NSF) from authorizing grant funds to any individual or entity that is affiliated or has a relationship with a Chinese military company. In accordance with the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense (DOD) has published a detailed list of 60 such entities currently operating within the United States.
Upon introduction, Congressman Allen made the following statement: “The American Science First Act takes concrete steps to combat the CCP’s persistent efforts to steal American intellectual property and use it against us. Currently, Chinese military companies could exploit loopholes to gain access to research funding paid for by the United States. When the American people send their hard-earned tax dollars to Washington, they deserve to know, with certainty, that those funds will not be used to further the military interests of Communist China.” Full text of this legislation is available here. BACKGROUND: The National Science Foundation has an annual operating budget of $9.5 billion and fulfills its mission of “advancing knowledge to sustain global leadership” by awarding federal grants. Approximately 12,000 such awards are provided each year, with an average duration of three years. The agency represents the primary funding source for more than a quarter of the federal research budget. Earlier this month, Congressman Allen joined his Republican colleagues in voting to establish a Select Committee in the House of Representatives on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, which will, in part, investigate the theft of American intellectual property.
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