Moolenaar: Pentagon Research Security Audits Protect U.S. Technological Dominance

Today, the Pentagon announced the results of its research security audits of major American universities and the subsequent termination of more than 80 collaborations between universities and Chinese entities of concern.

"Americans’ tax dollars should never subsidize China’s military ambitions and our universities must do more to protect taxpayer-funded research. I give full credit to the Trump Administration and the Pentagon for taking action and working with universities to terminate dozens of dangerous collaborations with Chinese entities," said Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China, who has long advocated for increasing accountability and transparency in U.S. labs and universities. “These audits show how all institutions should prioritize America's technological dominance and terminate their ties to the CCP. The Select Committee will continue to work with our partners in the administration to make sure we close every avenue China could use to exploit taxpayer-funded research.”

Moolenaar has called for federal research agencies to follow the Pentagon’s lead by adopting a consistent standard prohibiting federally funded researchers from collaborating with entities identified on U.S. government restricted lists. Congress should reinforce and make that standard government-wide by passing Moolenaar’s Securing Innovation and Research from Adversaries (SIRA) Act, which would prohibit federal research funds from supporting collaborations with entities that the U.S. government has determined pose national security or other risks. Earlier this month, Moolenaar asked the Pentagon to update the 1286 list to include foreign institutions and talent recruitment programs that present national security risks to U.S. research security.