Bill · H.R. 8558· House(119-HR-8558)
To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require each institution of higher education to certify as part of an application for a research and development award that such institution does not operate certain branch campuses, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 4/28/2026
- Last activity
- 4/28/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- Elise Stefanik
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. It introduces a new research security requirement for institutions of higher education. Under this rule, institutions must certify that they do not operate certain branch campuses when applying for federal research and development awards. The bill lists specific countries where such branch campuses would be prohibited. It also provides a specific definition for what constitutes a branch campus.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill grants the Secretary of State the authority to designate additional countries for branch campus restrictions.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+3
The bill aims to increase research security by restricting institutions with overseas branch campuses in specific countries from receiving federal awards.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this put more money into public schools?-2
The bill imposes new certification requirements and potential restrictions on higher education institutions seeking federal research and development awards.
Does this put more money into scientific research?-2
The bill creates new compliance requirements and potential barriers for institutions applying for federal research and development funding.
Would students be better off under this?-2
The bill may limit the global reach and educational opportunities of institutions through restrictions on their branch campuses.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Research Security: The bill aims to establish a "Research security requirement for institutions of higher education" as outlined in Section 1, subsection (a).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Application Requirements: Institutions of higher education applying for research and development awards must include a certification regarding their branch campus operations, as noted in Section 1, subsection (a).
-
Restrictions on Global Operations: Institutions are prohibited from operating branch campuses in specific countries, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of Turkey, the Russian Federation, and the State of Qatar, if they wish to receive federal awards (Section 1, subsection (a)).
-
Secretary of State Discretion: The Secretary of State has the power to determine other appropriate countries for this restriction (Section 1, subsection (a)(9)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding-2Increases Scientific Research Funding-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3Improves International Alliances-2
- 4/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey