Federal

Defund the Wuhan Institute of Virology Act

Source: Congress.gov · 381 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill stops the federal government from giving money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It also requires a government study to find out how much federal money was sent to this institute or related Chinese government organizations during the 15 years before the bill becomes law.

Who It Affects

The Wuhan Institute of Virology is directly affected. Federal agencies that manage money are also affected because they must follow the funding ban. Congress is affected because it will receive the study report.

Key Provisions

• The federal government cannot provide any money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for any reason (Sec. 2(a)) • The Comptroller General of the United States (the head of a government agency that audits federal spending) must study and report to Congress about federal funds given to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, its researchers, the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or any agency of these organizations during the 15 years before the bill becomes law (Sec. 2(b))

What Changes

Federal agencies cannot send money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Comptroller General must complete a study within two years and tell Congress how much federal money went to this institute or Chinese government entities in the previous 15 years.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text

Effective Date

Not specified in bill text

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1025 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 14, 2023 Mr. PERRY (for himself, Mr. TIFFANY, Mr. OGLES, Mr. NORMAN, Mr. GOOD of Virginia, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, Mr. POSEY, Ms. SALA- ZAR, Mr. JACKSON of Texas, Mr. LAMBORN, and Mr. BURLISON) intro- duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 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 23:03 Mar 06, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1025.IH H1025 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 1025 IH SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE 1 WUHAN INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY. 2 (a) IN GENERAL.—No funds authorized or appro- 3 priated by Federal law may be made available to the 4 Wuhan Institute of Virology for any purpose. 5 (b) GAO STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 2 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 7 Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct 8 a study and submit a report to Congress regarding the 9 amount of Federal funds that were awarded or indirectly 10 provided (whether purposely or inadvertently) during the 11 15-year period immediately preceding such date of enact- 12 ment to— 13 (1) the Wuhan Institute of Virology, including 14 affiliated researchers; 15 (2) the People’s Republic of China; 16 (3) the Chinese Communist Party; or 17 (4) any agency or instrumentality of the entities 18 listed in paragraphs (1) through (3). 19 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:03 Mar 06, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H1025.IH H1025 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

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