The U.S. House of Representatives is slated to take up the contentious Biosecure Act the week commencing September 9, as indicated on a website associated with the legislative body. Initially introduced in January, the bill’s trajectory has been marked by delays, raising questions about its potential progression through the House in 2024.
Currently, two variations of the Biosecure Act are under review, proposing that companies receiving U.S. federal funding must terminate collaborations with a specified group of Chinese entities, including BGI, MGI, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Bio. The bill has been revised to offer a grace period until 2032 for impacted companies to secure alternative partnerships.
It’s important to note that for the bill to advance to the President for final approval, both the House and the Senate must adopt identical versions. Insights from the law firm Sidley suggest that while the bill may garner substantial support in the House, it could encounter significant resistance in the Senate. For the Biosecure Act to be enacted this year, it is likely to be appended to a more comprehensive legislative package, such as the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which annually allocates funding for the U.S. military. However, in June, the U.S. House Rules Committee stated that the Act was not suitable for inclusion in the NDAA, introducing uncertainty over the bill’s ability to navigate the legislative process successfully, even if it clears the House.- Flcube.com
