House Passes Feenstra Proposal to Protect American Intellectual Property

WASHINGTON -- Last night, the House passed the National Science Foundation (NSF) For the Future Act, which includes a proposal led by Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-06) to protect American intellectual property from falling into the wrong hands.

“Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on research that could end up in the hands of our competitors or adversaries. This is especially true when it comes to China. One report estimated Chinese intellectual property theft costs U.S. taxpayers up to $600 billion a year. My bipartisan proposal stands up to the Chinese Communist Party and ensures your tax dollars are spent wisely,” said Rep. Feenstra.

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Additionally, H.R. 2225 contains bipartisan language that Feenstra worked on with Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) to advance precision agriculture technology. These provisions aim to bolster research and development in precision farming practices. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Below are Feenstra’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery:

I rise today in support of the National Science Foundation for the Future Act.

This legislation contains several provisions that will help ensure the United States continues to be a global leader in science and technology.

It invests in critical STEM programs and research that will pave the way for new and exciting technological developments.

I am pleased this legislation also includes a proposal that I introduced to protect American intellectual property from falling into the wrong hands.

My proposal, which passed the Science Committee with unanimous support, prevents government-funded researchers from participating in projects that are run by so-called “foreign countries of concern” including China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran or as defined by the State Department.

Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on research that could end up in the hands of our competitors or adversaries.

This is especially true when it comes to China. 

One report estimated Chinese intellectual property theft costs U.S. taxpayers up to $600 billion a year.

My bipartisan proposal stands up to the Chinese Communist Party and ensures your tax dollars are spent wisely.

The NSF for the Future Act also contains language that I have worked on with Congressman McNerney to advance precision agriculture technology.

These provisions aim to bolster research and development in precision farming practices, which will help our producers improve efficiency and increase their bottom line.

In sum, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act includes important provisions that will protect American interests and help empower our agriculture community.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I yield back.

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