Reschenthaler’s bill provides security protections for U.S.-funded academic research

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) on Sept. 22 proposed bipartisan legislation to protect federally funded academic research from undue foreign influences and threats.

Rep. Reschenthaler sponsored the Academic Research Protection Act, H.R. 8346, with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD), which would designate an official serving within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to work with the academic research community to protect DOD-funded research from foreign influences and threats.

“As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am proud to introduce the Academic Research Protection Act to strengthen our nation’s ability to counter threats posed by malicious state actors like China, Russia, and Iran,” Rep. REschenthaler said. “This bipartisan legislation will empower research institutions in southwestern Pennsylvania and throughout the nation by providing the tools needed to protect their ingenuity and improving our information sharing with the academic community.”

If enacted, H.R. 8346 also would establish an independent commission to address concerns related to undue foreign influence at institutions of higher education conducting federally funded research and development, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.

An unclassified, open source intelligence clearinghouse relating to foreign threats to institutions of higher education, academic researchers, and academic scholars also would be established under H.R. 8346. A Federal Bureau of Investigation outreach strategy would be developed to inform higher education institutions about the availability of information on threats to the academic community, according to the summary.

H.R. 8346 has been endorsed by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the American Council on Education.