NSCEB Monthly Newsletter
September 2026
As of this week, the Commission has four months to go before we disappear into the sunset. No really, our statutory authority from Congress expires on December 31, 2026, which as you might imagine has us feeling a *sense of urgency* that’s greater than ever.
As a result, we did a bad job of taking a break over the summer. Thank you to those who hosted Biotech Across America Roadshow stops in Washington, Kansas, New Mexico, and Rhode Island!
Also, just today we are announcing new analysis on the state of Brain–Computer Interface technology development, and what that might mean for our national security.
Many of you have already talked with us about your plans to continue the mission in 2027 and beyond. If you haven’t, we encourage each of you and your organizations to think about one new action you will take in 2027 to advance our collective cause. We’ll be highlighting many of these as we get deeper into the fall, so now’s a good time to be thinking about your specific contribution.
Thanks as always for your partnership.
-Caitlin
New! Securing U.S. Leadership in Brain-Computer Interfaces
Today, the NSCEB published new analysis on the race to lead in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technologies. BCIs have the potential to treat patients with neurological diseases, enhance American warfighter capabilities, and train the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) models with brain data. The United States has historically led the world in research and development of BCIs, but China is emerging as the new global leader through targeted investment and rapid growth in brain research and the BCI sector.
Learn more here.
NSCEB by the Numbers
As of August 1, 2026:
- 40 NSCEB recommendations have seen bipartisan legislative action in either the House or the Senate.
- 32 standalone bipartisan bills with NSCEB recommendations have been introduced in either the House or Senate.
- 26 provisions that reflect 25 NSCEB recommendations, either in full or in part, have been signed into law.
- 9 NSCEB recommendations included in White House executive actions.
- 27 states visited on the Biotech Across America Roadshow.
- 500+ organizations have participated in Roadshow events.
Legislative News
Biomanufacturing Excellence, Domestic Resilience, Output, and Competitive Know-how (BEDROCK) Act (H.R.10164) – Introduced on August 27th in the House, the BEDROCK Act would designate a senior Department of Commerce (DOC) official to lead U.S. biomanufacturing competitiveness. It would also require the DOC to assess supply chain inputs, commercialization barriers, and reliance on foreign adversaries for critical products.
The BEDROCK Act aligns with two policy recommendations from the NSCEB’s April 2025 report and is endorsed by the NSCEB.
House Sponsors: Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-05), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06)
Learn more here.
Monthly Legislative Spotlight
Each month we’ll highlight different pieces of legislation reflecting key NSCEB recommendations. We encourage you to continue using your voice to advocate for these key policy ideas.
This month is all about the building the biotech workforce of the future! For more information about these bills or to submit an endorsement, please contact: info@biotech.senate.gov
Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act (H.R. 8930)
Summary: This legislation would direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to coordinate with the heads of each appropriate federal agency or department to define the biotechnology workforce and complete assessments of current and future biotechnology workforce needs.
House Sponsors: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA-7), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX-17)
Learn more here.
Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026 (H.R. 8938)
Summary: This bill would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support biotechnology workforce pathways and alignment with federal research investments.
House Sponsors: Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA-7), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rep. Sarah, McBride (D-DE-At Large), Rep. Eugene Simon Vindman (D-VA-7), Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC-10), Rep. Donald G. Davis (D-NC-1)
Learn more here.
Biotechnology for All High School Students Act (H.R. 8268)
Summary: This effort would enable the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make competitive, merit-based awards to support teacher training, classroom resources, and partnerships for biotechnology education at the high school level.
House Sponsors: Rep. Sarah, McBride (D-DE-At Large), Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA-7), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6), Rep. Haley M. Stevens (D-MI-11), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-6), Rep. André Carson (D-IN-7), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13)
Learn more here.
Biotech Across America Roadshow
Recent Roadshow Stops
Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas – August 4-5
Kansas is home to a robust health innovation ecosystem where biotech is a cornerstone of innovation. NSCEB staff toured several facilities and heard from local leaders working to further build Kansas’ biotech infrastructure, capitalizing on the state’s central location as a national conduit for transportation of products.
Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Santa Fe, New Mexico – August 12-14
New Mexico has a long history of innovation, and NSCEB staff brought a bipartisan, bicameral congressional staff delegation to the Land of Enchantment to see Los Alamos National Lab and to visit Santa Fe to meet with local industry, universities, and state government representatives about the opportunities and challenges currently facing the state’s dynamic biotechnology ecosystem.
Providence and Kingston, Rhode Island – August 21
Between stops at Brown University and the University of Rhode Island, NSCEB commissioners saw firsthand the state’s growing life sciences sector and the role Rhode Island is playing in our nation’s biotechnology future, where a cross-cutting research and talent development ecosystem is driving industry growth.
Learn more here.
Seattle, Washington – August 25
Washington State is home to a swiftly expanding bioindustrial base that is boosted by Seattle’s deep AI-expertise and a network of biotech innovation hubs. Commissioners visited the Allen Institute and the bioindustrial company Arzeda to learn more about how Washington is becoming a major biotech contributor to U.S. national security and economic resilience.
Learn more here.
NSCEB in the News
GeekWire | As U.S.-China biotech race heats up, Seattle makes its case to D.C.
In Seattle, NSCEB Commissioners Paul Arcangeli and Alexander Titus explored an ecosystem with all of the right pieces to build a robust biotech hub at the leading edge of AIxBio innovation and bioindustrial manufacturing.
ChinaPower Podcast | Center for Strategic International Studies | Part I: Biotechnology in U.S.-China Competition: A Conversation with Senator Todd Young
“In this first episode of a two-part series on China and biotechnology, NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young joins the ChinaPower Podcast to discuss why biotechnology is emerging as a critical area of competition between the United States and China.”
ChinaPower Podcast | Center for Strategic International Studies | Part II: Biotechnology in U.S.-China Competition: A Conversation with Caitlin Frazer
“In this second episode of a two-part series on China and biotechnology, NSCEB Executive Director Caitlin Frazer joins the ChinaPower Podcast to take a deeper dive into recommendations for how the United States can maintain its leadership in biotechnology as China expands its capabilities in the field.”
Brown University News | ‘Little Rhody is about to become big Rhody’ when it comes to biotechnology
Members of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology convened in Providence to learn about biotechnology capabilities and potential at Brown University and partner organizations across the state.
The Washingtonian | Senator Young | Meet DC’s 2026 Leading Defense-Tech Innovators
From drones to artificial intelligence, a defense-tech boom is underway. Here are some of the key businesspeople, policymakers, and others shaping the future and keeping us safe.
“As chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, Young has spent the past two years warning that advances in the life sciences could create new vulnerabilities. ‘Our job in government is to deal with tail risks,’ he says. ‘It’s to think about creative ways to deal with the risk of catastrophic events happening.’”
September Look Ahead
- September 2-3: Massachusetts Roadshow
- September 14: Maryland Roadshow
- September 15: The China Biotech Debate: Endpoints Salon Series, Washington, D.C.
- September 24-25: Oregon Roadshow
- September 25 and 28: New York Roadshow
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: biotech.senate.gov.
Contacts:
NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov
