S.Amdt. 6116

The amendment proposed by Mr. Paul seeks to add the Risky Research Review Act to the bill. The purpose of this act is to create a new independent agency within the Executive Branch called the Life Sciences Research Security Board.

This Board would be responsible for reviewing and making binding decisions on whether federal agencies can provide funding for high-risk life sciences research.

Aims to Change or Add

The amendment adds the following requirements and structures to the law:

• Establishment of a Board: Creates a 9-member board consisting of an Executive Director, scientists, national security experts, and a biosafety expert to oversee risky research.
• Funding Restrictions: Prohibits federal agencies from awarding funding for high-risk life sciences research without the Board's approval.
• Definition of Risk: Defines high-risk life sciences research as gain of function research or dual use research of concern involving a high-consequence pathogen.
• Agency Accountability: Requires entities seeking funding to attest under penalty of perjury whether their research is high-risk and requires agency heads to certify those attestations.
• Oversight and Enforcement:
  • Grants the Board authority to review past and ongoing funding.
  • Mandates that the Board report to specific congressional committees.
  • Requires disciplinary action, including permanent revocation of security clearances, for agency employees who knowingly violate these rules.
  • Authorizes GAO audits of the Board.
• Funding: Authorizes $30,000,000 for the Board for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2035.