Rep. Andy Barr
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) that would enforce congressional supervision on any scientific and technological partnership agreements between the United States and China.
“This legislation closes a dangerous loophole in our oversight of science and technology agreements with China,” Rep. Barr said. “For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has exploited these partnerships to gain access to sensitive technologies that could threaten our national security.”
The Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act of 2024, H.R. 5245, would require — no later than 15 days before the date on which a renewal or extension of the Science Technology Agreement (STA), or the entry into or renewal or extension of any other science and technology agreement with the Government of China or a Chinese entity can enter into effect — the U.S. Secretary of State to submit a detailed notification to Congress.
Additionally, H.R. 5245 would require the administration to submit the full text of any agreement to Congress and ensure it does not threaten U.S. national security, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Barr’s staff.
“This bill ensures Congress has the power to review and scrutinize every agreement, making sure that we are protecting America’s interests and holding China accountable,” said Rep. Barr. “We cannot continue to allow blind trust to dictate our security.”
The congressman sponsored the measure in August 2023 with two Republican original cosponsors to require the U.S. State Department to notify Congress regarding science and technology agreements with China. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 21 voted 50-0 to pass H.R. 5245.
“Under Chairman Xi, China’s ambition to become a science and technology superpower is closely intertwined with its military modernization efforts,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul. “The last time Congress legislated oversight on science and technology agreements was in 2003, but China is not the same country as it was 20 years ago.
“I am grateful the House passed Congressman Barr’s STA Act with bipartisan support,” he added. “It sends an important message that the U.S. is committed to preventing the CCP from leveraging our expertise to build their military-industrial complex.”
H.R. 5245 on Sept. 10 advanced to the U.S. Senate and has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is reviewing the identical S. 2894.