Biophysical Society Bulletin | November 2024

Public Affairs

Applications Are Open for the Biophysical Society 2025–2026 Congressional Fellowship Interested in using your science skills to inform science policy? Does spending a year working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, helping develop policy sound exciting? The Biophysical Society’s Congressional Fellowship program (www.biophysics. org/policy-advocacy/congressional-fellowship) is your opportunity to participate directly in the process of law-making that affects how research is funded and regulated. This year-long opportunity provides fellows a chance to use their science knowledge to inform the public policy process. Fellows will gain firsthand knowledge and experience on how Congress works and participate in the esteemed AAAS Science and Technology Fellows program that provides ongoing training and networking opportunities during the fellowship year and beyond. Visit www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/congressio nal-fellowship for more details about the program or contact Leann Fox at fellows@biophysics.org or (240) 290-5606. The application deadline is December 13, 2024 .

House Enacts Legislation to Reinstate China Initiative On September 11, 2024, the House approved a bill to reinstate the China Initiative from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The move comes on the heels of the National Insti tutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli apologizing for the damage done by the previous iteration of the initia tive launched in 2018. The Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP [Chinese Communist Party] Act (HR 1398) would require the DOJ to launch a “CCP Initiative” that aims to “curb spying by the Chinese Communist Party on United States intellectual property and academic institutions,” among other goals. It was passed by a modest margin with some bipartisan support. Although the Senate companion bill, S.511, is unlikely to see any advancement in this Congress, the White House issued a statement decrying the bill for the potential to promote “incorrect and harmful public perceptions that the DOJ applies a different standard to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct related to the Chinese people or to American citizens of Chinese descent.” During the Biden administration, the DOJ discontinued the China Initiative label on the grounds that it had created a “perception” of bias that had a chilling effect on the research community. In its place, the DOJ has pursued a prosecution strategy focused on a broader array of nation-state threats and has more frequently delegated enforcement responsibili ties to federal science agencies. In addition to the bill to reintroduce the initiative, several other bills focusing on tightening security regarding China were introduced. Included in those bills was another measure to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from

funding US universities that have partnerships with “Chinese entities of concern,” defined as universities that have ties to the Chinese military or other security services. The White House has expressed a desire to work with Congress to refine the bill, stating that it supports the intent of the bill but be lieves “there may be more appropriate ways to prevent DHS funding from being directed toward academic institutions that are vulnerable to the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China’s] increasing monetary influence.” House Passes Biosecure Act In early September, the House enacted the “Biosecure Act” (HR 8333) to prohibit entities that receive federal funds from using biotechnology that is from a company associated with a foreign adversary. Specifically, the bill would prevent federal funds from going to biotech companies linked to five “foreign adversaries”: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It bans purchases from five specific Chinese compa nies—BGI, MGI, WuXi Biologics, Wu Xi AppTec, and Complete Genomics—beginning in 2032. It would also prevent federal funds from going to other organizations that use services and equipment from the companies. The White House Office of Management and Budget would update the list of companies of concern at least once a year. It will also affect academic collaboration with Chinese researchers. Any projects that rely on sequencing in China or involve Chinese scientists who use services or machines from the companies will be affected. The new restrictions would also cut off one source of genome sequencers used in US labs. The Senate is considering a similar measure, with one iteration having already passed through a Senate committee. Speculation suggests that the Senate will probably adopt the House lan guage in a compromise bill or attached to a must-pass piece of legislation that would then be passed onto the White House for signing.

November 2024

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