Ernst Introduces Legislation to Stop China’s Theft of U.S. Research

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced the Furthering Operations for Resiliency, Transparency, and Integrity to Fortify (FORTIFY) U.S. Research Act to prevent China from stealing our research designed to strengthen American national security. The bill builds upon Senator Ernst’s work to ensure U.S. tax dollars are not sent to our foreign adversaries for risky research.

“Sharing the research, technology, and financial resources of the world’s most lethal fighting force with America’s adversaries is dangerous and insane,” said Ernst. “My investigations continue uncovering how Washington is subsidizing the research of Chinese labs and companies. This new effort with Senator Rubio will further expose how some collaborators on our own critical national security matters are Chinese agents posing as wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

Background:

Ernst has fought tirelessly to ensure U.S. tax dollars and government resources do not wind up in the hands of China or any other foreign adversary.

In June 2023, she introduced the TRACKS Act which would require every penny from a government grant paid to any organization in China and Russia to be tracked and publicly disclosed.

Ernst authored the provision contained within the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct an audit into the funding of risky research in China and other foreign nations. After the report from the audit was released, filled with redactions, including entire pages, Ernst has been demanding the Pentagon release the full unredacted report.

Senator Ernst authored a law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 requiring all Pentagon-supported research disclose the dollar amount paid for by DoD, allowing for increased transparency and accountability into how taxpayer money is being spent and who the department is collaborating with.

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