To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to clarify the definition of foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction, and for other purposes.
Impact
The proposed amendments have implications for existing U.S. laws concerning foreign influence in research and development. By clarifying the definition, the bill would enhance the government's ability to scrutinize and restrict recruitment from countries deemed a risk to national security. This is likely to affect not only academic institutions but also various industries reliant on foreign talent, potentially leading to stricter hiring protocols and more rigorous vetting processes for foreign candidates.
Summary
House Bill 7686 seeks to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act by clarifying the definition of 'foreign country' specifically for the purposes of restricting malign foreign talent recruitment. The adjustments to the language are aimed at ensuring better delineation of which foreign entities are under scrutiny and for what kinds of recruitment activities. This change is part of a broader effort to safeguard national interests by refining how foreign recruitment is monitored and regulated in relation to U.S. research and development sectors.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 7686 appears to lean towards increasing national security while balancing the need for global talent acquisition. Supporters of the bill emphasize the importance of preventing potentially detrimental foreign influence on U.S. innovations and research. Critics, however, may express concerns over the bill potentially fostering a more restrictive environment for academic collaboration and innovation, arguing this could hinder the progress in fields that depend on global cooperation and diversity of thought.
Contention
A notable point of contention related to this bill arises from the implications of broadening the definition of a 'foreign country of concern.' Discussions indicate that it could lead to unintentional barriers for legitimate academic and professional exchanges, as the criteria for categorizing countries may be perceived as subjective. Advocates for more open recruitment practices argue that stringent definitions and robust restrictions could produce a chilling effect, discouraging talented individuals from participating in U.S. research initiatives.
A bill to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to clarify the definition of foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction, and for other purposes.
United States Research Protection ActThis bill clarifies the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. The Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, which was included in the CHIPS and Science Act, prohibits researchers who receive federal funds from participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs, in which foreign countries incentivize or compensate researchers for activities that present a conflict of interest for the researcher or that are otherwise unauthorized (e.g., sharing proprietary information without proper authorization).The bill clarifies that these restrictions apply to programs that are sponsored by a foreign country of concern, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill also clarifies that malign foreign talent recruitment programs may involve direct or indirect compensation or incentives from such countries.
To amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and modify the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and for other purposes.