S. 769 Reported by committee Science, Technology, Communications

United States Research Protection Act of 2025

A bill to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to clarify the definition of foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] Introduced February 27, 2025 Cosponsors 4 (1 D, 3 R) Latest action July 22, 2025

Summary

United States Research Protection Act of 2025
This bill clarifies the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. 
The Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, which was included in the CHIPS and Science Act, prohibits researchers who receive federal funds from participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs, in which foreign countries incentivize or compensate researchers for activities that present a conflict of interest for the researcher or that are otherwise unauthorized (e.g., sharing proprietary information without proper authorization).
The bill clarifies that these restrictions apply to programs that are sponsored by a foreign country of concern, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill also clarifies that malign foreign talent recruitment programs may involve direct or indirect compensation or incentives from such countries.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jul 22, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 123.
  2. Jul 22, 2025 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-45.
  3. Apr 30, 2025 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  4. Feb 27, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  5. Feb 27, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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