BIOSECURE Act

Bill: 118-hr-8333
Sponsor: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Introduced: 2024-05-10 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign and international corporations
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2024-05-10
text: 

BIOSECURE Act

This bill prohibits entities that receive federal funds from using biotechnology that is from a company associated with a foreign adversary.

Specifically, federal agencies and recipients of federal funds (e.g., grantees) may not procure or use any biotechnology equipment or service that is from a biotechnology company of concern and may not contract with any entities that do so. A 
biotechnology company of concern
 is an entity that is under the control of a foreign adversary and that poses a risk to national security based on its research or multiomic data collection (e.g., collection of genomic information).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must, in coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD) and other specified agencies, develop a list of prohibited companies; the list must include five particular companies, as specified in the bill. OMB and DOD may approve waivers of these restrictions on an as-needed basis, which are valid for up to one year and may be extended once for an additional 180 days.

In addition, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence must report on the national security risks posed by (1) multiomic data collection by foreign adversaries in connection with biotechnology equipment or services, and (2) biotechnology companies that have such data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 306 - 81 (Roll no. 402). (text: CR H5051-5052)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 306 - 81 (Roll no. 402). (text: CR H5051-5052)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5081-5082)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8333.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5051-5058)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-05-15
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 1.
action_date: 2024-05-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-05-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2024-05-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2024-05-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-05-10
text: Introduced in House