Cotton, Barr Introduce Bill to Stop Foreign Adversaries from Exploiting American Universities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Caroline TablerorPatrick McCann(202) 224-2353September 11, 2025
Cotton, Barr Introduce Bill to Stop Foreign Adversaries from Exploiting American Universities
Washington, DC— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to combat the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and foreign adversaries from exploiting American colleges and universities. The Protecting American Research and Talent Act prohibits higher education institutions from receiving federal funding for the purposes of conducting fundamental research in collaboration with our foreign adversaries. This legislation is cosponsored by Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma).
Congressman Andy Barr (Kentucky-6) introduced companion legislation in the House.
“For far too long, our adversaries have exploited American colleges and universities to advance their interests, while risking our national security and innovation. This bill seeks to protect American research and talent and ensure our adversaries are not benefiting from American institutions,”said Senator Cotton.
“The CCP and other foreign adversaries repeatedly use sophisticated schemes to steal American research and advance their interests in the expense of American national security and innovation. This legislation seeks to stop that effort by increasing transparency and limiting federal flexibility to approve exemptions,”said Congressman Barr.
Text of the bill can be foundhere.
The Protecting American Research and Talent Act would:
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