- New legislation introduced in Congress would restrict nationals of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba from accessing the 17 national laboratories operated by the Department of Energy. The GATE Act, led by Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC, with a Senate companion backed by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., would require express clearance from the Energy Department and FBI for covered foreign nationals to enter the facilities.
- The legislation comes amid congressional concerns about foreign access to sensitive U.S. research. According to the article, the Senate Intelligence Committee disclosed in 2024 that approximately 40,000 foreign citizens — including more than 8,000 Chinese and Russian citizens — were granted access to national laboratory premises, information or technology during fiscal 2023. Cotton separately reported that in fiscal 2025, about 1,900 Chinese nationals made short-term visits, 1,300 held long-term research assignments and approximately 2,100 had formal employment at some facilities.
- Under the proposed law, existing access for covered foreign nationals would be revoked, although waivers could be granted when the secretary of energy, in consultation with the director of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, determines that allowing access outweighs national security and economic risks. Federal authorities would also be required to notify Congress within 30 days whenever such a waiver is issued. Harrigan said the measure is intended to protect sensitive American research from countries seeking U.S. technology.