Defending Defense Research from Chinese Communist Party Espionage Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
Blocks Department of Defense (DoD)-funded universities from contracting with certain foreign governments or flagged foreign entities, and restricts researchers’ paid ties to those entities. It would set a waiver process and public transparency rules for covered contracts.
Show full summary
- Universities: Covered institutions would be banned from entering contracts with "covered nations" or "foreign entities of concern" starting January 1, 2027 unless the Secretary of Defense issues a waiver that typically lasts 1 year.
- Researchers: Principal investigators on covered DoD research would have to agree not to accept paid work from such foreign entities for 10 years after they stop being a PI. The rule applies to projects that begin one year after enactment.
- Transparency and oversight: The Department of Defense must post waiver requests and orders and create a searchable database within 90 days, and deliver annual reports beginning June 1, 2027.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
10-year post‑PI foreign employment ban
If enacted, people who become principal investigators on covered DoD research starting one year after enactment would have to agree not to take paid work or benefits from a designated foreign entity of concern for 10 years after they stop serving as PI. The Defense Secretary must publish the list of "critical or emerging" technologies within 270 days of enactment and update it each year. The Secretary can waive the 10-year rule for U.S. persons but must notify congressional defense committees at least 30 days beforehand with an unclassified justification.
New foreign contract bans and waivers
If enacted, covered colleges and universities would be barred from signing contracts with certain foreign nations or foreign entities of concern starting January 1, 2027. Schools could ask the Defense Secretary for a one-year waiver, but must apply at least 120 days before a new contract and give the full unredacted contract text. The Secretary must tell schools at least 60 days before contract start whether a waiver will be issued, notify Congress two weeks before granting a waiver, and publish waiver orders and contract links in a searchable DoD database within 90 days. Schools that apply for waivers must name a compliance officer who certifies the waiver materials.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in