Espionage Prevention Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9123
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T16:32:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes restrictions on funding from U.S. intelligence community elements to institutions of higher education that maintain relationships with specific entities connected to the People's Republic of China. The goal is to limit potential risks associated with such relationships while allowing limited exceptions.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including "covered entity" (Confucius Institutes, Thousand Talents Program, Chinese universities of concern, and entities on the 1260H list), "Chinese university of concern" (with criteria such as involvement in military-civil fusion, support for Chinese defense entities, or activities related to Uyghur detention), "relationship" (contracts, agreements, or donations), and related concepts.
- Funding Restriction: Beginning in the first fiscal year after 12 months from enactment, institutions with relationships to covered entities become ineligible for intelligence community funds unless the relationship is terminated.
- Waiver Process: The Director of National Intelligence may grant case-by-case waivers for up to one year if the institution has robust safeguards and the relationship serves U.S. national security interests or poses no risk; waivers are renewable annually with congressional notification.
- Support and Reporting: The Director must provide outreach and technical assistance for compliance and submit annual reports to congressional intelligence committees detailing affected institutions and implementation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new section 121A to the National Security Act of 1947, creating funding eligibility rules tied to foreign relationships that did not previously exist in this form. It introduces specific criteria for prohibited entities and a structured waiver mechanism with oversight requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires the Director of National Intelligence to enforce restrictions, manage waivers, and issue reports, potentially increasing administrative workload for intelligence community elements.
- Citizens and Institutions: Affects U.S. colleges and universities by limiting access to intelligence-related funding if ties to covered Chinese entities persist, which may influence research partnerships and resource allocation.
- International Relations: Could affect academic collaborations between U.S. institutions and entities in China, potentially altering educational exchanges or joint programs involving the listed entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. institutions of higher education receiving or seeking intelligence community funds.
- The Director of National Intelligence and intelligence community elements.
- Congressional intelligence committees (House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence).
- Entities in the People's Republic of China meeting the "covered entity" criteria.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation ties federal funding eligibility to foreign relationships, raising considerations around academic freedom and institutional autonomy, though it includes waiver provisions for national security determinations. It mandates congressional notification for waivers, enhancing legislative oversight of executive branch decisions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
- 2026-06-03: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Espionage Prevention Act — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (7 pages)