U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Oct. 1 offered legislation that would authorize sanctions against foreign individuals or nations that have threatened the national security, foreign policy, public health, or financial stability of the United States by attempting to steal American research on COVID-19.
Sen. Tillis sponsored the Defend COVID Research from Hackers Act, S. 4793, with original cosponsor Sen. Blackburn, which is the Senate companion bill to the same-named H.R. 7708 introduced in July by U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
“Since work began to find a COVID-19 vaccine, hackers affiliated with foreign nations have worked to steal research from American companies and research institutions,” Sen. Tillis said. “These attempts to steal American intellectual property related to COVID-19 is a threat to our national security and economic health.”
“Countries like China, Russia and Iran have proven themselves untrustworthy when it comes to collaborating on research efforts, and have opted instead to hack into American vaccine operations,” Sen. Blackburn said. “It is essential that we take active steps to protect our public health from these bad actors.”
If enacted, the measure would permit sanctions against a foreign person who directly or indirectly attempted to disrupt or hurt the U.S. through cybersecurity actions on networks, including individuals who were directed by foreign leaders to cause a cyberattack, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. The president also could prohibit such individuals from traveling to the U.S. or could revoke their visas if they are already in the country.
Additionally, within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, the U.S. Secretary of State would be required to issue a report to Congress detailing the extent of known or attempted cyber-enabled activities by foreign persons related to COVID-19 and whether such activities qualify for sanctions, according to the summary.
“Congress must give the president the tools to combat these bad actors, and this legislation will allow the administration to identify and target those who work to steal research on a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Sen. Tillis.
“The integrity of our COVID-19 vaccine research is of the utmost importance to our national security,” added Sen. Blackburn.