Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3744
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-04T08:06:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act," aims to protect U.S. research and innovation from undue foreign influence by clarifying restrictions on collaborations with certain foreign entities. It specifically targets "malign foreign talent recruitment," which refers to efforts by adversarial nations to recruit U.S.-based researchers or steal sensitive technology through deceptive means.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 10638 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (part of Public Law 117-167).
- Expands the definition of "foreign country" in the context of malign foreign talent recruitment restrictions.
- Starting January 1, 2026, includes any special administrative region (e.g., areas with semi-autonomous status) or other territory that the U.S. recognizes as under the control of a "covered foreign country of concern" (such as China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea).
- The change applies after the word "Iran" in the existing law's list of restricted countries.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The original law already restricts collaborations with entities from covered foreign countries of concern to prevent talent recruitment and intellectual property theft.
- This bill broadens the scope by explicitly including sub-regions or territories controlled by these countries, even if they have separate administrative statuses. Previously, the definition focused on sovereign nations without detailing controlled territories, potentially creating loopholes for regions like Hong Kong or Macau under China's influence.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal research funding bodies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy, will need to update compliance guidelines and monitoring processes to enforce the expanded restrictions, potentially increasing administrative workloads.
- On Citizens: U.S. researchers and academics may face stricter limits on international collaborations, travel, or funding from institutions in affected regions, which could slow cross-border scientific exchanges but enhance protection of sensitive U.S. technologies.
- On International Relations: Could heighten tensions with countries like China by signaling stronger U.S. scrutiny of their influence in global research, while reinforcing alliances with nations not deemed "of concern." No direct impact on trade or diplomacy is outlined, but it supports broader U.S. national security strategies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Researchers and Academic Institutions: Directly impacted through new compliance requirements for grants, publications, and partnerships.
- Federal Science Agencies: Responsible for implementing and enforcing the clarified rules, including investigations into potential violations.
- Foreign Entities in Covered Regions: Institutions or individuals in special administrative regions (e.g., Hong Kong universities) or controlled territories may lose access to U.S. collaborations or funding opportunities.
- U.S. Tech and Innovation Sectors: Companies involved in research and development could benefit from reduced risks of intellectual property theft but face challenges in global talent recruitment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of existing national security laws without creating new penalties, but may require courts to interpret "control" in disputes over territories (e.g., U.S. recognition of Taiwan as separate from China). Ensures consistency in applying restrictions across sub-national entities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate foreign affairs and commerce (under Article I), promoting national security without infringing on free speech or academic freedom, as restrictions target specific malign activities rather than all international engagement.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan concerns over foreign interference in U.S. innovation (introduced by Republicans), potentially advancing U.S.-China competition in technology. It could influence future legislation on research security but risks criticism for overreach if it hampers legitimate global cooperation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (2 pages)