To prohibit persons who are not citizens of the United States, except for those from the "Five Eyes", from accessing or entering Department of Energy sites and facilities.

Bill Number

H.R. 4000

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-07-17T20:35:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4000: Prohibition on Access to Department of Energy Sites by Non-U.S. Citizens

Purpose

This bill aims to enhance national security by restricting access to Department of Energy (DOE) sites and facilities, limiting entry to U.S. citizens and citizens of select allied nations known as the "Five Eyes" partnership (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom). It prevents unauthorized foreign access that could pose risks to sensitive energy-related operations, research, and infrastructure.

Key Provisions

• General Prohibition: Non-U.S. citizens are barred from accessing or entering any DOE-owned, operated, or leased site or facility, overriding other existing laws.
• Exception for Allies: The ban does not apply to citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.
• Effective Date: The prohibition takes effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.
• Implementation Requirements: Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary of Energy must update any relevant regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures to enforce the new rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a broad, automatic prohibition on non-U.S. citizen access to DOE facilities, which supersedes ("notwithstanding") prior laws or policies that may have allowed such access for purposes like international research collaborations, contractor work, or diplomatic visits. Previously, access decisions were likely handled case-by-case under existing DOE security protocols; this shifts to a default denial except for specified allies.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DOE will face immediate administrative burdens to revise access controls, potentially disrupting ongoing international partnerships or operations involving foreign experts. Enforcement could require enhanced screening and security measures at facilities.
• On Citizens: U.S. citizens' access remains unaffected, but non-U.S. citizens from non-Five Eyes countries (e.g., scientists, engineers, or visitors from other nations) will be excluded, limiting opportunities for global collaboration in energy research and development.
• On International Relations: It reinforces security ties with Five Eyes allies by granting them privileged access, but could hinder cooperation with other countries, such as in joint energy projects or climate initiatives, potentially straining diplomatic or economic relationships.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Energy and Its Facilities: Directly responsible for implementation and compliance, including national labs and nuclear sites.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Particularly those from countries outside the Five Eyes alliance, who may lose access for professional, academic, or official purposes.
• U.S. Government and Five Eyes Nations: Benefits U.S. security interests while maintaining seamless collaboration with allies in intelligence and energy sectors.
• International Researchers and Contractors: Affected if they rely on DOE sites for work, potentially redirecting global talent or projects.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: By overriding other laws, the bill could create conflicts with existing treaties, export controls, or international agreements that permit foreign access; courts might review challenges related to enforcement or exceptions.
• Constitutional Implications: As it targets non-citizens, it avoids direct equal protection issues under the U.S. Constitution but could raise questions about due process for denied individuals or consistency with foreign affairs powers.
• Political Implications: The bill underscores a focus on national security amid concerns over espionage or technology theft, potentially appealing to lawmakers prioritizing U.S. energy independence while signaling trust in Five Eyes partners; it may spark debate on balancing security with international scientific cooperation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To prohibit persons who are not citizens of the United States, except for those from the "Five Eyes", from accessing or entering Department of Energy sites and facilities. — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (2 pages)