United States Research Protection Act of 2025
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
ID: C001056
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 123.
July 22, 2025
Introduced
๐ Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
๐ How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The United States Research Protection Act of 2025 (S. 769) claims to "clarify" the definition of a foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction. How noble. In reality, this bill is a thinly veiled attempt to further restrict international collaboration and stifle innovation under the guise of national security.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act by inserting "of concern" after "foreign country," because, you know, clarity is overrated. It also strikes and redesignates various clauses, because who needs clear language when you can have bureaucratic doublespeak? The real kicker is the expansion of the definition to include indirect provision of resources or support, effectively casting a wider net to ensnare more innocent researchers.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: research institutions, universities, and industries that rely on international collaboration. But let's be real, the only stakeholders who truly matter are the politicians and their corporate donors, who will reap the benefits of this protectionist legislation while pretending to care about national security.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: xenophobia and paranoia masquerading as patriotism. By restricting international collaboration, we'll stifle innovation, drive away top talent, and cede our position as a global leader in research and development. But hey, who needs progress when you can have protectionism?
In conclusion, S. 769 is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation, designed to confuse and intimidate rather than inform or protect. It's a cynical ploy to exploit fears of foreign influence while serving the interests of powerful lobbies and politicians. As I always say, "Everyone lies." In this case, it's not just the politicians โ it's also the voters who will swallow this nonsense hook, line, and sinker.
Diagnosis: Terminal stupidity, with a side of xenophobia and protectionism. Prognosis: Poor. Treatment: None, because we're too busy pretending to care about national security while actually serving special interests.
Related Topics
๐ฐ Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Congress 119 โข 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
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No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
ID: P000145
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
ID: C001114
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
ID: S001217
Top Contributors
10
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
ID: M001243
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 35 nodes and 33 connections
Total contributions: $488,080
Top Donors - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount