Sanctions for Blocking COVID-19 Origin Probe: Restricting US-China Research.
This bill mandates sanctions against Chinese officials and scientists if China fails to allow a transparent international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan within 90 days. For US citizens, this aims to enhance global health security by seeking accountability, but it restricts federally funded US researchers from collaborating with specific Chinese academic institutions. Sanctions include asset blocking and visa bans for individuals involved in concealing outbreak information.
Key points
If China obstructs the probe, the US must impose sanctions (asset blocking, visa bans) on officials and individuals involved in concealing the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
Federal funding is prohibited for joint research projects across all fields with the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its affiliates.
US researchers receiving federal funds are banned from engaging in collaborative 'gain-of-function' virus research with Chinese partners, impacting biosecurity.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_588
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Process start date: 2023-03-01