Congressman Pat Harrigan Introduces GATE Act to Protect U.S. National Laboratories from Foreign Adversaries

August 14, 2026 Press Release Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) introduced the Guarding American Technology from Exploitation (GATE) Act , legislation to strengthen security at U.S. National Laboratories by restricting access for nationals of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. The legislation is the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). “America’s National Laboratories are home to some of the most sensitive and valuable research in the world, and the same countries working to steal American technology should not have routine access to the facilities developing it,” said Congressman Harrigan. “China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have spent years targeting American innovation to close the technological gap with the United States. The GATE Act puts a clear safeguard around critical American research while preserving access when our own counterintelligence professionals determine it serves the national interest.” “Scientists from our adversaries like Russia and China should be nowhere near our national laboratories,” said Senator Tom Cotton. “Foreign nationals in our country’s most sensitive labs pose a clear threat to our national security and should end immediately.” The GATE Act prohibits covered foreign nationals from accessing National Laboratory facilities, information, or technology as visitors or long-term assignees, while exempting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The legislation allows the Secretary of Energy to grant a waiver only after consultation with Department of Energy intelligence officials and senior FBI counterintelligence officials, and only when the benefits to the United States outweigh the national security and economic risks. The legislation also requires the Department of Energy to notify Congress within 30 days of granting a waiver and disclose the individual’s country of origin, the timeline of the decision, and the specific justification for allowing access. Congressman Harrigan will continue working to protect American research and intellectual property and prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting taxpayer-funded innovation. Issues : National Security