Hudson Legislation Stands up to China, Protects U.S. Medical Research and IP

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), the House Republican leader on pandemic preparedness issues, introduced the Protect America's Biomedical Research Enterprise Act. The bipartisan legislation was introduced with Rep. David Trone (D-MD), a fellow co-chair of the Congressional Biodefense Caucus.

"Protecting American research and intellectual property from threats by countries like China has never been more important," said Rep. Hudson. "This bipartisan legislation will protect our national security and biomedical advances so our nation is prepared for future pandemics and other national emergency threats."

The bill protects America's biodefense research and development enterprise from national security risks, including those by foreign agents and countries like China. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the National Security Council, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other relevant agencies within the Intelligence Community, to develop a framework and recommendations for assessing threats related to foreign influence on biomedical research, including the identification and development of strategies to improve the protection of intellectual property, proprietary information, and sensitive data in biomedical research and development.

"If the last two years taught us anything, it's that we can never be too prepared to protect the health and security of the United States," said Rep. Trone. "By ensuring cooperation and good faith among our highest government stakeholders, this legislation will fortify our nation's defenses against the next threat. To me, the opportunity to do so couldn't come soon enough."

This legislation is part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which has already passed in the U.S. Senate and is expected to advance early next year.

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