John Cornyn (R-TX)
United States Research Protection Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 123.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "United States Research Protection Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. The primary goal is to clarify the definition of a foreign country specifically for purposes regarding malign foreign talent recruitment restrictions. It modifies how the term "foreign country" is used and structures. Specifically, it adds the phrase "of concern" to the term. It also makes changes to how programs, positions, or activities are described.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill strengthens oversight of foreign influence by broadening the scope of programs and activities that may be subject to restrictions.
- Scored +1
Does this put more money into scientific research?
By clarifying the scope of malign recruitment restrictions, the bill aims to protect the integrity of national scientific research.
- Scored +1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill provides clearer definitions regarding foreign entities of concern involved in recruitment activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarification of Restrictions: By inserting the phrase "of concern" after "foreign country," the bill clarifies the specific scope of malign foreign talent recruitment restrictions (Section 2).
-
Expanded Oversight of Activities: The amendment changes the language regarding programs, positions, or activities to include whether they are "directly or indirectly provided," which expands the scope of the definition (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Changes to Definitions: The bill strikes a specific subparagraph and redesignates several clauses, which alters the existing structure of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Section 2).
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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill strengthens oversight of foreign influence by broadening the scope of programs and activities that may be subject to restrictions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — By clarifying the scope of malign recruitment restrictions, the bill aims to protect the integrity of national scientific research.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill provides clearer definitions regarding foreign entities of concern involved in recruitment activities.
- 11/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-45.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 123.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 4/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida