Press Releases

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) re-introduced the American Science First Act. This legislation 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. Upon its introduction, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

"We know all too well that the CCP regime will stop at nothing to undermine America's competitive edge. There is absolutely no excuse for the NSF—funded by U.S. taxpayers—to authorize federal grants to any individual or entity with ties to the CCP, which is why the American Science First Act is such a critical piece of legislation. By closing loopholes in current law, we can stymie efforts by bad actors who seek to gain access to research funding paid for by the United States. Under President Trump's leadership, I am hopeful we can move this bill through the legislative process to protect our intellectual property and ensure America continues to lead on the world stage."

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.