To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to prohibit certain institutions of higher education from receiving research and development awards, and for other purposes.
Latest action (28 Apr 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 8559 would amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to bar certain colleges and universities from receiving federal research and development awards. Specifically, if an institution of higher education accepts funds from a designated "foreign source"—including the governments of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Turkey, or Qatar, entities they control, or their agents—to carry out research tied to national security or military applications (such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum information science), that institution would be ineligible for such research and development awards for five years after receiving the foreign funds. The Secretary of State could designate additional countries as covered "specified foreign governments."
The bill primarily affects U.S. colleges and universities that conduct federally funded research in sensitive technology fields and that also receive funding from the listed foreign governments or their affiliated entities. It would not affect institutions that avoid such foreign funding arrangements.
The bill was introduced on April 28, 2026, by Rep. Elise Stefanik, with Rep. Josh Gottheimer as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. As an introduced bill, it has not yet been considered or voted on by that committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on April 28, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8559 do?
- H.R. 8559 would amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to bar certain colleges and universities from receiving federal research and development awards. Specifically, if an institution of higher education accepts funds from a designated "foreign source"—including the governments of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Turkey, or Qatar, entities they control, or their agents—to carry out research tied to national security or military applications (such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum information science), that institution would be ineligible for such research and development awards for five years after receiving the foreign funds. The Secretary of State could designate additional countries as covered "specified foreign governments." The bill primarily affects U.S. colleges and universities that conduct federally funded research in sensitive technology fields and that also receive funding from the listed foreign governments or their affiliated entities. It would not affect institutions that avoid such foreign funding arrangements. The bill was introduced on April 28, 2026, by Rep. Elise Stefanik, with Rep. Josh Gottheimer as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. As an introduced bill, it has not yet been considered or voted on by that committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 8559 become law?
- Not yet. As of 28 Apr 2026, H.R. 8559 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8559?
- H.R. 8559 was sponsored by Rep. Elise Stefanik [R-NY21] (Republican-NY), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8559?
- Introduced (28 Apr 2026).
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