Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, along with Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), introduced the Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act, legislation that will determine the amount of Federal research funding that has been provided to entities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), or to entities majority owned and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act will direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on Federal research funding made available to entities located within the PRC, or majority owned or controlled by the CCP, over the last five years. Such a study would examine:
- The total amount of Federal research funding made available to these entities within the PRC or controlled by the CCP.
- The total number and type of entities that received such funding.
- The requirements related to the awarding, tracking, and monitoring of such Federal funds.
- Any other data available with respect to Federal research funds being made available to such entities.
“Reports from earlier this year of Federal research money making its way to the Wuhan Institute of Virology raised many alarms,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “While Federal research money is often used to aid in collaborative scientific efforts with partners around the world, we know that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in concentrated efforts to steal our research and is oftentimes an untrustworthy partner. This bill does not end any research funding, but rather provides clarity on U.S. research dollars sent to China, or entities owned by the Chinese Communist Party, so Congress can exercise its oversight role and examine the purpose and effectiveness of such collaboration in China. I look forward to working with my colleagues to further this legislation and continue to hold China accountable.”
“International cooperation on research can be a vital tool, but while the Chinese Communist Party continues its nefarious efforts to steal our intellectual property and national security sensitive research, we must be able to closely monitor federal dollars,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “It is vital we take steps like these to recalibrate our nation’s relationship with China and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable.
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