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119-s-929119th Congress

GATE Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

Introduced

Summary

Blocks most nationals from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba from accessing U.S. National Laboratories. The bill would bar those covered foreign nationals from visiting or being assigned to a National Laboratory unless a written waiver is granted by the Secretary of Energy after required consultations.

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  • Covered foreign nationals: Individuals from the specified five countries who are not lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens would be prohibited from admission as visitors or assignees to National Laboratories.
  • National Laboratories: Labs would have to deny access to covered visitors and assignees, including those who had already sought or obtained approval as of enactment.
  • Waiver process and consultations: The Secretary of Energy could issue a written waiver only after consulting the Department of Energy Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence and a senior counterintelligence official such as senior FBI leaders.
  • Congressional notice: The Secretary must notify six named congressional committees within 30 days of any waiver and provide the country of origin, request date, decision date, and reasons for the waiver.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Ban on certain foreign nationals at labs

If enacted, the bill would bar National Laboratories from admitting visitors or assignees who are nationals of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba. An "assignee" is someone who would access a lab for more than 30 consecutive days. A "visitor" is someone there for a shorter period. The ban would not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The Secretary of Energy could grant a written waiver after consulting Department of Energy intelligence officials and a senior counterintelligence official (several senior FBI officials are named). The Secretary would have to notify several House and Senate intelligence, energy, commerce, and science committees within 30 days and say the person’s country, the request date, the decision date, and the reasons for the waiver. The rule would begin on the date of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • 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.gov
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