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119-hr-7165119th Congress

WATCH Act

Sponsored By: Representative Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Introduced

Summary

Quarterly inspections and certification of foreign labs would be required for any laboratory outside the United States that receives NIH funds to do biomedical or behavioral research involving animals. The bill would make passing those inspections a condition of eligibility for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements and allow suspension or revocation of federal funding when labs do not correct violations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Quarterly checks for foreign research labs

This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the NIH to set up quarterly inspections. The inspections would apply to foreign labs that get federal funds for animal research and hold an Animal Welfare Assurance. Inspections would review animal care committees, animal care and treatment, and record-keeping. Inspectors would issue certificates of compliance and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare would keep copies publicly available. Labs would get a reasonable chance to fix problems, but the Secretary could suspend or revoke NIH grants or contracts if violations are not corrected. The changes would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 1/20/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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