H.R.1032 - Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act of 2023 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1032, the "Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act of 2023," aims to prohibit federal agencies from directly or indirectly funding research conducted by the government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party, including their agents, instrumentalities, and entities they own or control. The bill targets various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, and Department of Health and Human Services. The intended effect is to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from supporting research that could benefit potential adversaries.
This bill reflects concerns about intellectual property theft, national security, and the potential for U.S.-funded research to be used against American interests. By restricting funding, the bill seeks to ensure that American resources are used to support domestic research and development efforts, rather than inadvertently bolstering China's technological and military capabilities.
The bill's short title indicates its primary objective: to stop the flow of federal funds to entities perceived as adversaries, specifically focusing on research conducted in China.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect of H.R. 1032 would be to halt any ongoing or planned federal funding for research projects involving Chinese government entities or the Chinese Communist Party. This could lead to the termination or restructuring of existing research collaborations and a shift in funding priorities towards domestic research institutions.
In the longer term, the bill could foster greater self-reliance in critical research areas within the United States. It may also incentivize the development of alternative research partnerships with countries considered allies or partners. However, it could also strain diplomatic relations with China and potentially hinder progress in collaborative research areas such as climate change or public health.
Furthermore, the bill may lead to increased scrutiny of international research collaborations and stricter guidelines for federal funding recipients to ensure compliance.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens national security by preventing U.S. funding from potentially benefiting adversaries.
- Protects American intellectual property and prevents its transfer to China.
- Encourages investment in domestic research and development, fostering innovation within the United States.
- Reduces the risk of U.S. taxpayer dollars supporting research that could be used against American interests.
- Promotes greater transparency and accountability in federal funding for research.
Potential Disadvantages
- May hinder progress in collaborative research areas, such as climate change, public health, and emerging technologies, where international cooperation is essential.
- Could strain diplomatic relations with China, potentially leading to retaliatory measures.
- May limit access to unique data, resources, or expertise available in China, potentially slowing down the pace of scientific discovery in certain fields.
- Could create bureaucratic hurdles and increase compliance costs for U.S. research institutions.
- May disproportionately affect researchers and institutions that have established collaborations with Chinese counterparts.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional authority of Congress to appropriate funds and regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8). The power to allocate federal funds for specific purposes, including restricting funding to certain foreign entities, falls within the scope of Congress's enumerated powers. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
However, some might argue that restricting research collaborations could indirectly affect academic freedom, which is often considered a component of free speech under the First Amendment. However, this argument is unlikely to prevail, as the government has broad authority to set conditions on the use of federal funds.
Overall, the bill's focus on national security and the allocation of federal resources aligns with the constitutional framework, and there are no apparent constitutional impediments to its enactment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).