Todd Young (R-IN)
National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 seeks to authorize a national initiative to advance biotechnology for national security, economic productivity, and competitiveness. This involves creating a National Biotechnology Coordination Office and an Interagency Committee to oversee Federal activities. The initiative aims to coordinate research and development, biological data management, and workforce development across various Federal agencies. It also focuses on regulatory streamlining, biosafety, and international partnerships. The Act establishes specific functions for the Office, including creating a national strategy and a public website. This initiative is intended to run for a 20-year period before transitioning to a secretariat role.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The act provides sustained support and specific funding for biotechnology research and development.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The initiative aims to enhance economic productivity and competitiveness through biotechnology innovation.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The initiative supports private sector translation and commercialization of biotechnology products.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Productivity and Innovation: The bill promotes the private sector translation and commercialization of biotechnology products, which could lead to new economic opportunities (Section 3(c)(5)).
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Workforce Development: The initiative aims to develop a domestic workforce by providing training programs for students, veterans, and industry workers (Section s. 6(8)).
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Increased Information Accessibility: The creation of a coordinated website will provide the public, policymakers, and innovators with clear, easy-to-find information and a dashboard of Federal activities (Section 3(c)(9) and Section 4(c)(2)).
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Regulatory Clarity: The bill seeks to streamline regulations and establish clear pathways for biotechnology products, which could ease the burden on innovators (Section 3(c)(6) and Section 4(b)(3)(F)).
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Scientific Advancement: Sustained support for research and development is intended to accelerate scientific understanding and technological innovation (Section 3(c)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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National Security Risks: The bill acknowledges that emerging biotechnology carries national security implications that must be addressed, such as threats from foreign adversary development (Section 3(c)(2) and Section 6(2)(A)).
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Data Privacy and Security Concerns: The large-scale collection and management of biological data requires protections to ensure the privacy and security of human genetic information (Section 4(e)(2)(F) and Section 6(4)(B)).
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Biosafety and Biosecurity Threats: The advancement of biotechnology presents potential biosafety and biosecurity risks that the initiative must work to mitigate (Section 3(c)(7) and Section 6(7)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The initiative supports private sector translation and commercialization of biotechnology products. Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports biotechnology education, training, and fellowships for students. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill includes provisions for the professional development and upskilling of veterans in the biotechnology workforce. Would farmers be better off under this? — The involvement of the Department of Agriculture suggests potential benefits for the agricultural sector.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill emphasizes cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive biological data and infrastructure. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It includes coordination of regulatory and commercial diplomacy. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill focuses on international partnerships and strengthening relationships with allies through biotechnology. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The act aims to expand market access for U.S. biotechnology products through international engagement.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The initiative aims to enhance economic productivity and competitiveness through biotechnology innovation. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes workforce development and private sector commercialization which supports job growth in the biotech sector. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill includes provisions to support small business innovation and startup formation in biotechnology.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a coordinated website to provide clear information to the public and policymakers. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the Executive Office of the President. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — There is a specific focus on protecting the privacy of biological data.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act provides sustained support and specific funding for biotechnology research and development. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes requirements for protecting the privacy and security of human genetic information.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes significant funding to support sustained biotechnology research and development. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Advancing biotechnology can lead to improved health outcomes and human health advancements.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill involves agencies like the EPA to address environmental stewardship through biotechnology.
- 3/19/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California