COVID Act of 2021
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jun 2021): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
What this bill does
The COVID Act of 2021 would require the President to impose sanctions and take other actions if China's government does not allow a transparent international investigation into the origins of COVID-19, specifically at certain laboratories in Wuhan. This investigation must allow investigators unfettered access to sites, data, and personnel, and be conducted by a team of experts chosen by specified countries, excluding those who have already made conclusions about the virus's origin.
If the President cannot certify within 90 days of the bill's enactment that such an investigation has commenced, the President must impose visa and property-blocking sanctions on leaders of China's Academy of Sciences (CAS). Additionally, federal funding would be prohibited for collaborative research projects between U.S. and CAS researchers in any field. U.S.-based researchers and institutions receiving federal funds would also be prohibited from certain virus research collaborations with entities in China.
This bill was introduced in the Senate in June 2021 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Its status is currently "Introduced."
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination Act of 2021 or the COVID Act of 2021
This bill requires the President to impose sanctions and take other actions related to COVID-19 if certain conditions are not met.
Specifically, if the President is unable to certify within 90 days of this bill's enactment that China's government has allowed a transparent international forensic investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and certain laboratories in the city of Wuhan, the President must (1) impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against individuals with leadership positions in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), (2) prohibit federal funding for collaborative projects between U.S.-based researchers and CAS researchers in any academic field, and (3) prohibit U.S.-based researchers and institutions that receive federal funding from engaging in certain research on viruses with individuals or institutions based in China.
Timeline
21 Jun 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Common questions
- What does S. 2148 do?
- The COVID Act of 2021 would require the President to impose sanctions and take other actions if China's government does not allow a transparent international investigation into the origins of COVID-19, specifically at certain laboratories in Wuhan. This investigation must allow investigators unfettered access to sites, data, and personnel, and be conducted by a team of experts chosen by specified countries, excluding those who have already made conclusions about the virus's origin. If the President cannot certify within 90 days of the bill's enactment that such an investigation has commenced, the President must impose visa and property-blocking sanctions on leaders of China's Academy of Sciences (CAS). Additionally, federal funding would be prohibited for collaborative research projects between U.S. and CAS researchers in any field. U.S.-based researchers and institutions receiving federal funds would also be prohibited from certain virus research collaborations with entities in China. This bill was introduced in the Senate in June 2021 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Its status is currently "Introduced."
- Has S. 2148 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2148. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2148?
- S. 2148 was sponsored by Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (R-FL), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2148?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (21 Jun 2021).
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