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Biotech a High Priority for Intelligence and National Security in Committee-Passed IAA 

Biotech a High Priority for Intelligence and National Security in Committee-Passed IAA 

SSCI affirms biotechnology’s critical role in national security, highlighting strategic focus on threat preparedness and technological leadership. 

21 July 2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Washington, DC – The FY2026 Intelligence Authorization passed by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence emphasizes the strategic importance of biotechnology in the global threat landscape. The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology applauds the Committee for including this pivotal technology in this version of the IAA. In April 2025, the Commission delivered its comprehensive report and action plan on biotechnology and national security to Congress. 

See below for a list of biotechnology provisions included in the SSCI-passed IAA.  

“Safeguarding and advancing biotechnology is critical to our national security, not only to defend against threats, but to maintain U.S. leadership in innovation, defense, and economic resilience,” said NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (IN). “This legislation will ensure the Intelligence Community continues to have the tools and talent necessary to keep our country safe. I am encouraged that this bill addresses threats to the American defense, industrial, agricultural, and health sectors.” 

“Enhanced security for biotechnology is vital as the global security landscape increasingly focuses on the strategic role of emerging biotech,” said NSCEB Commissioner Senator Alex Padilla (CA). “This year’s Intelligence Authorization bill will provide our intelligence community with the tools and resources required to carry out its mission in today’s complex landscape.” 

SSCI-PASSED NSCEB PROVISIONS 

Bill Language 

  • Sec. 502, Directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish a policy for streamlining the declassification or downgrading and sharing of intelligence information relating to biotechnological developments and threats with allies and partners, private sector partners, and across the federal government. 
  • Sec. 512, Prohibits the Intelligence Community from contracting with Chinese military companies engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing. 
  • Sec. 602, Directs the Director of National Intelligence to enhance biotechnology talent within the Intelligence Community. This provision requires the DNI develop policies to ensure existing and future funding and resources to the Intelligence Community provide sufficient personnel and outside expertise, including private sector experts, to identify and respond to biotechnology threats. 
  • Sec. 603, Directs the Director of National Intelligence to provide support to and consult with the FBI and CFIUS when reviewing attempts by the People’s Republic of China to leverage and acquire biological and genomic data in and outside of the U.S., enhancing the security of U.S. datasets. 
  • Sec. 604, Directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish a policy to ensure that elements of the Intelligence Community contracts for certain biotechnology services come from U.S. providers, and prevent the IC from contracting with Chinese biotechnology suppliers that are deemed to pose a security threat. 
  • Sec. 606, Requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a strategy for addressing intelligence gaps relating to China’s investment in U.S. biotechnology companies or acquisition of U.S. biotechnology IP.  

Read the NSCEB’s full report here: www.biotech.senate.gov/final-report and contact press@biotech.senate.gov for more information on how biotech is changing the future.  

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit https://biotech.senate.gov.    

  

Contact: press@biotech.senate.gov