Bill · H.R. 9123· House(119-HR-9123)
Espionage Prevention Act
- Introduced
- 6/3/2026
- Last activity
- 6/3/2026 — Referred to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
- Sponsored by
- Pat Fallon
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 9123, known as the "Espionage Prevention Act," restricts intelligence community funding for institutions of higher education that maintain relationships with specific entities in the People's Republic of China. These restricted relationships include Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, Chinese universities of concern, and entities on the 1260H list. The Director of National Intelligence is responsible for enforcing these funding restrictions starting 12 months after the enactment of the section. The legislation allows the Director of National Intelligence to grant temporary, one-year waivers on a case-by-case basis if certain national security conditions and safeguards are met. Additionally, the Director must provide technical assistance to schools and submit annual implementation reports to congressional intelligence committees.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+5
The bill enhances national security by restricting intelligence community funding to universities associated with certain Chinese entities, thereby protecting sensitive research from unauthorized access.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+4
The legislation encourages universities to implement robust safeguards to protect sensitive research and data from unauthorized access by foreign actors.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The legislation increases federal oversight by empowering the Director of National Intelligence to enforce funding restrictions and review waivers for universities.
The opposite
Does this put more money into public schools?-4
Higher education institutions risk losing critical intelligence community funding if they maintain relationships with specified Chinese entities without obtaining a waiver.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection of Sensitive Research: Under Section 2(c)(1)(A), the Director of National Intelligence may issue a waiver if an institution maintains robust safeguards and enforcement protocols to monitor relationships with covered entities and actively detects and deters unauthorized access to sensitive research, data, or federally funded development activities. This provision encourages universities to protect important research and data from unauthorized access.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Intelligence Community Funding: Under Section 2(b), institutions of higher education that have a relationship with a covered entity become ineligible to receive any funds from any element of the intelligence community unless they terminate that relationship. This could negatively impact schools and researchers who rely on these funds unless they completely cut ties with the specified entities or secure a waiver.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+4Increases Public School Funding-4
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- Referred to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
- Introduced in House
Ronny JacksonRepublican · Texas