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Gallagher, Hartzler Introduce PLA Visa Security Act

July 6, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) today introduced the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Visa Security Act. This bill would require the U.S. government to develop a list of scientific and engineering institutions affiliated with the PLA and would prohibit individuals employed or sponsored by these Chinese military institutions from receiving student or research visas to the United States.

Senator Tom Cotton introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate last month. Click HERE for bill text.

"For years, the PLA has exploited our education system to conduct sensitive research and steal technologies from our colleges and universities,"said Rep. Gallagher. "Last year, the Trump administration took decisive action to help prevent scientists and engineers affiliated with the PLA from obtaining critical visas for graduate study at our universities. I'm proud to join with Rep. Hartzler in introducing common-sense legislation to build on this action and ensure that American innovation does not benefit the Chinese Communist Party."

"As the threat of China continues to endanger our national security, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Visa Security Act is much-needed, common-sense legislation to help ensure China's military is not collaborating with America's universities and researchers on sensitive information. I thank Rep. Gallagher and Sen. Cotton for their commitment to combating the Chinese Communist Party's exploitation of our free society and protecting our nation's education institutions from improper foreign influence," said Rep. Hartzler.

Background:

Chinese military scientists continue to research advanced dual-use technology in the United States and other western countries. According to some estimates, over the past decade, the People's Liberation Army has sent more than 2,500 military engineers and scientists to study abroad. At times, these scientists have not disclosed their connection to the Chinese military.

In a recent think tank report, the PLA Visa Security Act was endorsed by President Biden's current NSC Senior Director for International Economics and Competitiveness Peter Harrell, NSC Senior Director for China Rush Doshi, nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Indo-Pacific Ely Ratner, and nominee to serve as DoD Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation Susanna Blume, and nominee to serve as Assistance Secretary for Terrorist Financing Elizabeth Rosenberg.