S. 3997: Safeguarding American Innovation Act

116th Congress

A bill to strengthen the security and integrity of the United States scientific and research enterprise.

Sponsor: Sen. Robert Portman — R — OH

Requires the Department of State to modernize its visa application process and expand the list of reasons for denying visas to foreign researchers and establishes the Federal Research Security Council within the Office of Management and Budget. The Council would be responsible for standardizing the federal process for grant applications and approvals for U.S. universities. The bill also prohibits applicants for federal grants from submitting applications that do not disclose known foreign sources of financial compensation, and lowers the dollar value of foreign gifts that postsecondary institutions must report to the government. Finally, it provides new oversight and enforcement powers for federal agencies involved in securing U.S. intellectual property from foreign adversaries and requires federal agencies to collect information on sensitive technology or data that foreign grantees might access.

View the full vote history of this bill on GovTrack.us.