Espionage Prevention Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would block intelligence community funding to U.S. colleges and universities that have relationships with certain Chinese government‑linked entities unless the schools end those ties or obtain a waiver from the Director of National Intelligence.
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- Colleges and universities found to have a covered "relationship" would be ineligible for any funds from elements of the intelligence community starting in the first fiscal year that begins more than 12 months after enactment.
- Research teams, faculty, and campus programs that rely on intelligence community grants could lose that funding while a covered relationship exists, and eligibility returns only after the relationship is terminated.
- The Director of National Intelligence could grant case by case waivers for up to one year, renewable annually, if an institution demonstrates strong safeguards. The DNI must provide outreach and technical help and report to congressional intelligence committees within 18 months and then yearly.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Colleges face intelligence funding ban
If enacted, the bill would define which foreign groups and school ties count as "covered." Covered entities would include Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, Chinese universities of concern, and entities on the 1260H list. A "relationship" would mean any contract, agreement, or in-kind gift with a covered entity. If enacted, starting in the first fiscal year that begins 12 months after enactment, a college with a covered relationship would be ineligible to receive any funds from any element of the intelligence community until it ends that relationship.
Limited waiver for some colleges
If enacted, the Director of National Intelligence would be able to waive the funding ban for a college for up to one year. The college would need robust safeguards to detect and deter unauthorized access to sensitive research, including measures addressing Chinese nationals affiliated with a covered entity. The Director would have to determine the relationship is in the national security interest or does not present a national security risk. A waiver could be renewed yearly, would take effect 30 days after issuance, and the Director would notify House and Senate intelligence committees at least 30 days before it takes effect.
Intelligence outreach and annual reporting
If enacted, the Director of National Intelligence would provide outreach and, on request, technical assistance to colleges to help them comply with these rules. The Director would also report to congressional intelligence committees no later than 18 months after enactment and every year after. Each report would identify any college that has a covered relationship and received funds from any element of the intelligence community. Each report would describe how the funding restriction and DNI outreach are being implemented.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov