Contact Congress about S. 738: Dangerous Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act

Colleges and research institutes could lose federal research grants if they do covered gain-of-function work on dangerous viruses or toxins. The ban would apply to the whole institution, not just the lab doing the work.

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.

Dangerous Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Latest action on S. 738: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects colleges and research institutes that do work on dangerous viruses, agents, or toxins. It also affects scientists whose unrelated projects depend on federal research grants, because the funding ban could apply across the whole institution. Federal agencies that award research grants would also have to apply the ban when an institution conducts covered research.

Why this matters: This bill matters because it could change how risky virus and toxin research gets done in the United States. It aims to lower the chance that lab work could create or release a more dangerous pathogen. But it could also reduce federal support for research that helps scientists track future outbreaks and develop vaccines or treatments. The final effect would depend on how many institutions do this work and whether they stop, change methods, or give up federal grants.

Key provisions in S. 738

• The bill defines gain-of-function research as gene-changing work that makes an organism more dangerous. It covers changes that increase infection, spread, disease severity, host range, or that could reasonably create those traits or threaten public health or national security.
• The bill covers only certain organisms. These include flu viruses, coronaviruses such as MERS, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and SARS-like viruses, federal Select Agents and Toxins, and synthetic versions of them.
• Colleges and research institutes could not receive federal research grants if they conduct covered gain-of-function work. The rule applies when the work involves the covered organisms.
• The funding risk reaches the whole institution. It does not stop only the lab or project doing the covered research from getting money.
• The bill says this ban overrides other federal laws. That means another law or program could not be used to allow the same grant funding.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 738

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 738

What is S. 738?

Colleges and research institutes could lose federal research grants if they do covered gain-of-function work on dangerous viruses or toxins. The ban would apply to the whole institution, not just the lab doing the work.

How do I support or oppose S. 738?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 738?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 738 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.