Federal

Defund the Wuhan Institute of Virology Act

Source: Congress.gov · 354 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill stops the U.S. government from giving money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It also requires a government study to find out how much federal money went to this institute or related Chinese government organizations over the past 15 years.

Who It Affects

The Wuhan Institute of Virology and any researchers working there would be affected. Federal agencies that award grants or funding would need to follow the new rule. Congress would receive information from the study.

Key Provisions

• No federal money can be given to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for any reason. (Sec. 2(a)) • The Comptroller General of the United States (the head of the Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency) must study and report to Congress on federal funds given to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, affiliated researchers, the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or any agency of these entities during the 15 years before this law passes. (Sec. 2(b)) • This study and report must be completed within 2 years after the bill becomes law. (Sec. 2(b))

What Changes

Federal agencies can no longer provide funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Congress will receive a report documenting federal funds previously sent to the institute and related Chinese government entities.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text.

II 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 421 To prohibit Federal funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and to require a GAO study regarding Federal funds previously provided to such institute or to entities affiliated with the Chinese Government. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 14, 2023 Ms. ERNST introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To prohibit Federal funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virol- ogy and to require a GAO study regarding Federal funds previously provided to such institute or to entities affili- ated with the Chinese Government. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Defund the Wuhan 4 Institute of Virology Act’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:43 Mar 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S421.IS S421 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •S 421 IS SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE 1 WUHAN INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY. 2 (a) IN GENERAL.—No funds authorized or appro- 3 priated by Federal law may be made available to the 4 Wuhan Institute of Virology for any purpose. 5 (b) GAO STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 2 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 7 Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct 8 a study and submit a report to Congress regarding the 9 amount of Federal funds that were awarded or indirectly 10 provided (whether purposely or inadvertently) during the 11 15-year period immediately preceding such date of enact- 12 ment to— 13 (1) the Wuhan Institute of Virology, including 14 affiliated researchers; 15 (2) the People’s Republic of China; 16 (3) the Chinese Communist Party; or 17 (4) any agency or instrumentality of the entities 18 listed in paragraphs (1) through (3). 19 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:43 Mar 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\S421.IS S421 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.