A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Biotech Defense Act. It requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy regarding threats posed by the biotechnology capabilities of foreign adversaries, particularly the People's Republic of China. The strategy must be integrated into the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Planning Guidance. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive assessment of China's use of biotechnology for military modernization by the Director of National Intelligence. It also establishes a Biotechnology Risk Contact Group to monitor and assess foreign investments and partnerships in the United States biotechnology sector. Finally, the bill requires regular reports and briefings to specific congressional committees on these matters.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b) requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy that includes investments in United States biotechnology research and development, supply chain resilience, and defensive biotechnological capabilities. This is positive because it aims to strengthen domestic research and secure critical supply chains.
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Section 2(d) establishes a Biotechnology Risk Contact Group to monitor and assess foreign investments, partnerships, and joint ventures in the United States biotechnology sector, focusing on entities from the People's Republic of China. This is beneficial because it helps identify national security risks and protects sensitive technologies, intellectual property, and genomic data from adversarial exploitation.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based strictly on the provided text, there are no explicit negative consequences, burdens, or provisions that place hardships on individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
No significant interests or groups are affected by this bill.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- Introduced in House