NSCEB Monthly Newsletter
October 2026
85 days left on our clock here at the NSCEB.
Thank you again for being on this incredible ride with us, and don’t take your foot off the gas.
Let’s go!
-Caitlin
NEW! Using Biotechnology to Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains
In September, the NSCEB published new analysis of biotechnology for critical mineral extraction and processing. Using copper as a case study, the paper highlights the role biomining plays in ensuring a reliable supply of critical minerals for multiple industries, including defense.
Learn more here.
EVENT! NSCEB + STATION DC
On November 17, NSCEB and STATION DC will host “After NSCEB: What Comes Next for U.S. Biotech Policy,” bringing together leaders from government, industry, startups, and academia. With the Commission preparing to sunset in December 2026, the event will look beyond the Commission’s tenure to tackle a fundamental question: With more than 80% of the Action Plan’s recommendations moving forward but not yet fully implemented, how do we sustain momentum in the next Congress and beyond to secure U.S. leadership in biotechnology?
Register to attend here.
NSCEB by the Numbers
As of September 1, 2026:
- 41 NSCEB recommendations have seen bipartisan legislative action in either the House or the Senate.
- 37 standalone bipartisan bills with NSCEB recommendations have been introduced in either the House or Senate.
- 28 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.
- 29 states visited on the Biotech Across America Roadshow.
- 500+ organizations have participated in Roadshow events.
Legislative News
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act (H.R.10569/S.5502) – Introduced on September 24th in the House and Senate, this bill would ensure that biotechnology and biomanufacturing infrastructure is protected as critical infrastructure. It would establish a mechanism to cover cross-sector infrastructure that do not neatly fall within current Critical Infrastructure Sectors designations.
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act aligns with recommendation 2.4a from the NSCEB’s April 2025 report to Congress.
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)
House Sponsors: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50)
Learn more here.
The Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act (H.R.10568/S.5522) – Also introduced on September 24th in the House and Senate, this bill would ensure coverage of genetic and other sensitive biological data with the proper cybersecurity controls. The bill directs CISA to designate systems handling genomic sequences and sensitive biometric data as critical infrastructure and also mandates collaboration between CISA and biotechnology stakeholders to create security protocols and synchronize security concerns across sectors.
The Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act aligns with recommendation 2.4a from the NSCEB’s April 2025 report to Congress.
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
House Sponsors: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50)
Learn more here.
The Standards and Calibration for American Leadership in Engineering Biology (SCALE) Biology Act (S.5557) – Introduced on September 24th in the Senate, this bill would establish a dedicated biometrology research program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This new program would advance research into the measurement of key units and inputs and promote U.S. competitiveness in biotech development.
The SCALE Biology Act aligns with recommendation 4.1b from the NSCEB’s April 2025 report to Congress and follows the introduction of the House bill (H.R. 8981) in May 2026.
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
Learn more here.
NSCEB Continues to Publish Legislative Drafts
NSCEB continues to publish discussion drafts for select legislation that has yet to be introduced. This month, additional draft bills to establish Department of Energy (DOE) centers for biotech and include biotech within the Department of State’s (DOS) International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, respectively, were published here.
Biotech Across America Roadshow
Recent Roadshow Stops
Boston, Massachusetts – September 3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosted NSCEB staff at Lincoln Lab for an event that convened state leaders across the biotech industry, including biotechnology for defense. The Bay State has a storied history as a biopharmaceutical hub, but now, industry leaders are pushing for Massachusetts’ bioindustrial strength to be recognized.
Learn more here.
Rockville, Maryland – September 14
The biotech industry in Maryland is strengthened by proximity to federal science institutions, but it’s also making its own way towards leadership with an industry that is defining global standards and building supply chain security. NSCEB Commissioner Dov Zakheim visited U.S. Pharmacopeia to learn more about supply chain security efforts and hear from stakeholders who understand firsthand how the federal government shapes innovation.
Learn more here.
Charlottesville, Virginia – September 16
In Charlottesville, the University of Virginia (UVA) is driving research and workforce development in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, data science, research security, and national security. NSCEB Executive Director Caitlin Frazer heard from students, researchers, and university leaders about how UVA looking to the future on critical technology sectors. She also met with local Charlottesville biotech industry stakeholders as part of the Cville Biohub BioDiscovery Summit to understand how the Virginia biotech industry is developing.
Learn more here.
Portland, Oregon – September 25
Portland is home to national biotech leaders like Twist Bioscience and Genentech, Inc., and Oregon’s ecosystem is leveraging deep industry knowledge to drive even more growth. Partnerships between industry and academia are fortifying that growth with a sustained talent pipeline preparing the next generation of biotech leaders.
Learn more here.
New York, New York – September 25
In a behind-the-scenes tour at the American Museum of Natural History’s (AMNH) in New York City, NSCEB Commissioner Angela Belcher met with leaders from across the city focused on educating children about science, especially biotechnology. AMNH is at the forefront of generating biological data for scientific research, filling a critical role in how AI-enabled scientific discovery and the future workforce are being shaped.
Learn more here.
NSCEB in the News
Axios | Axios Live: Biotech experts want U.S. policy to keep pace with innovation
Innovation in health care treatments and drug development is prompting calls for U.S. policy to contend with the biotech sector’s growth, said regulators, advocates and investors at an Axios event.
Fierce Biotech | Why a US senator wants a biotech leader in the White House who ‘has the president’s ear’
Senator Young explains why China’s expanding role in the global biopharma ecosystem is a national security risk for the United States and what the bigger picture is.
CyberScoop | House and Senate members propose legislation for CISA to step up cyber defenses for biotech
Biotechnology doesn’t have its own critical infrastructure designation, so the bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to make sure it’s protected like it.
Axios | Axios’ The Global Biotech Race
In a live event hosted by Axios, Senator Young discussed how the U.S. can maintain its global biotech leadership as the international competition accelerate.
Biospace | China plans to transform biotech sector into $522B powerhouse by 2030
A new five-year biotech plan has been released by the Chinese government, revealing ambitious goals such as achieving five blockbuster medicines on the global markets in that time.
POLITICO | OpenAI backs bipartisan push to address AI biothreats
OpenAI endorsed three bills that reflect NSCEB recommendations. The bills would standardize biological data and defend against threats amplified by AI.
Axios | Brain implants stoke U.S.-China rivalry
The Commission’s brain-computer interface analysis highlights how the technology has become the latest friction point in the U.S.-China biotech competition.
October Look Ahead
- October 8: Indiana Roadshow
- October 16: Puerto Rico Roadshow
- October 22: Florida Roadshow
- November 13-14: iGEM
- November 17: STATION DC and NSCEB Event
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
