SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has joined as a co-sponsor for S. 2894, the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act, aimed at enhancing oversight of science and technology agreements (STAs) between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The bill, originally introduced by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), seeks to ensure comprehensive transparency by requiring the Secretary of State to provide detailed information to Congress about any new, renewed, or extended agreement with China. Additionally, it establishes a minimum 30-day Congressional review period.

Speaking about the bill, Senator Budd stated, "In this new era of authoritarian aggression, it’s imperative that we do more to counter risks from the unfair economic practices and intellectual property theft being carried out by adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. I want to thank Senator Ricketts for his leadership in this effort to ensure Congress has the tools needed to do our due diligence in providing more oversight over these scientific and technological agreements with China that could put our national security at risk."

The bill includes several provisions aimed at strengthening oversight and evaluation of STAs with China. It prohibits the Secretary of State from renewing or extending an agreement until Congress has been provided with at least 30 days to review the following:

• The full text of the agreement
• A detailed justification for the STA, including an explanation of how it serves the national security interests of the United States
• An assessment of the risks and potential impacts of the agreement, particularly in terms of technology or intellectual property transfers that may harm national security interests
• A detailed explanation of how human rights concerns will be addressed in any proposed scientific and technological collaboration
• An assessment of the Secretary's ability to continuously monitor China's commitments under the agreement

Upon the bill's enactment, the Secretary of State will have 60 days to provide Congress with the required reports. Failure to comply will result in the revocation of any existing STAs with China.

For more information about the bill, visit https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-con