S.929 - Guarding American Technology from Exploitation Act of 2025; GATE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Guarding American Technology from Exploitation Act of 2025 (GATE Act) aims to prohibit certain foreign nationals from accessing U.S. National Laboratories. Specifically, it targets individuals from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba, with exceptions for lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens. The bill allows for waivers by the Secretary of Energy under specific conditions, including consultation with intelligence officials and notification to Congress.
Expected Effects
The Act, if enacted, would restrict access to National Laboratories for covered foreign nationals, potentially impacting international collaborations and scientific exchange. Waivers could mitigate some of these effects, but would require justification and Congressional notification. This could lead to a decrease in foreign espionage and intellectual property theft.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by limiting access to sensitive technologies.
- Protection of American intellectual property and research.
- Reduced risk of espionage and technology transfer to adversarial nations.
- Increased public confidence in the security of National Laboratories.
- Potential for increased investment in domestic research and talent.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential hindrance of scientific collaboration and innovation due to restricted access.
- Possible negative impact on international relations with the targeted countries.
- Increased bureaucratic burden due to the waiver process.
- Risk of talent drain if foreign researchers seek opportunities elsewhere.
- Potential for reciprocal restrictions on American researchers abroad.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on national security aligns with the Constitution's broad mandate to "provide for the common defence." While the bill does not explicitly infringe upon individual rights outlined in the Bill of Rights, the restrictions on foreign nationals could be viewed through the lens of equal protection, although this typically applies to citizens. The waiver process, requiring consultation with intelligence officials and notification to Congress, reflects a separation of powers and oversight.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).