Duval Times

U.S. taxpayer-funded research and intellectual property are at risk of appropriation by foreign adversaries. There is a need for robust protections and transparency for U.S. government-funded research to protect these assets from exploitation by adversaries, including Communist China. However, legislative efforts to establish comprehensive safeguards have yet to be enacted.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues introduced the Furthering Operations for Resiliency, Transparency, and Integrity to Fortify (FORTIFY) U.S. Research Act to increase transparency in taxpayer-funded research and close loopholes to prevent taxpayer dollars from benefiting China’s military.

“America’s innovations and research must remain secure and serve our national interest. I’m proud to introduce the FORTIFY U.S. Research Act to safeguard taxpayer-funded research and close loopholes that China and other adversaries are quick to exploit,” said Senator Rubio.

Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Ted Budd (R-NC) are original cosponsors.

“Sharing the research, technology, and financial resources of the world’s most lethal fighting force with America’s adversaries is dangerous and insane. 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,” stated Senator Ernst.

“Ensuring that federal funding does not fuel research that advances China’s national security and military goals is beyond common sense. Our tax dollars need to be going toward research that gives the United States the upper hand against our competition against China, not helping it win,” remarked Senator Hagerty.

“China’s theft of American intellectual property is the single greatest heist in world history. For too long, the United States has sat idly by and let it happen. I’m proud to join Senator Rubio in increasing transparency to ensure U.S.-government funded research programs benefit America and not the Chinese Community Party and the People’s Liberation Army,” commented Senator Budd.

U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) will introduce companion legislation in the House.

Rubio recently penned an op-ed in the National Interest, exposing how U.S. grants are strengthening China’s military.