This bill narrows a federal research-security restriction so it targets “foreign countries of concern,” not every foreign country. It also makes clear a covered program can be supported directly or through intermediaries, and it trims one part of the existing definition.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
United States Research Protection Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Latest action on H.R. 1318: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Who this affects: This mainly affects U.S. research institutions and people working on federally supported research who have to screen or disclose ties to foreign talent recruitment programs. It also affects the federal agencies and compliance offices that interpret and enforce the definition, especially when deciding what counts as “indirect” support and which countries are treated as “countries of concern.”
Why this matters: Research-security rules shape what outside programs U.S.-funded researchers can join and what institutions must police. By tying the restriction to “foreign countries of concern,” the bill could concentrate enforcement on a smaller, higher-risk set of countries, but the real effect depends on how that designation is defined and updated. At the same time, treating indirect support as covered support could expand which arrangements are flagged, especially when benefits move through intermediaries rather than a foreign government paying directly.
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Officially: United States Research Protection Act
This bill narrows a federal research-security restriction so it targets “foreign countries of concern,” not every foreign country. It also makes clear a covered program can be supported directly or through intermediaries, and it trims one part of the existing definition.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend H.R.1318. Modern Action explains United States Research Protection Act in plain English, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in Commerce
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
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The debate
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (3/25/2025)
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
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This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to United States Research Protection Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it would do, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around H.R.1318, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
