House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar is calling on the National Science Foundation to pause a $67 million research security initiative, alleging that universities leading the effort have engaged in problematic collaborations with Chinese military-linked institutions.
In a Tuesday letter to NSF Interim Director Brian Stone, the Republican from Michigan urged the agency to suspend funding for the "Safeguarding the Entire Community of the U.S. Research Ecosystem" (SECURE) initiative and conduct a comprehensive review of participating institutions. The letter specifically cites concerns about Texas A&M University and the University of Washington.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats and some academic freedom advocates have raised concerns about the scope of the GOP's investigation, arguing that broad restrictions on international research collaboration could harm legitimate scientific advancement.
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida who serves on the House Science Committee, has previously expressed caution about overbroad research security measures. In recent hearings, Moskowitz has argued that while national security concerns are valid, policymakers must balance those concerns with the need for open scientific collaboration that drives innovation.
The American Association of University Professors and other academic organizations have warned that labeling certain international partnerships as "high risk" could stigmatize legitimate research collaborations and discourage the international exchange of ideas that has historically driven scientific progress.
Progressive commentators have also noted that the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have previously targeted Chinese American scientists and researchers, arguing that such investigations can disproportionately affect Asian American scholars and create a chilling effect on academic discourse.
What the Right Is Saying
Moolenaar argued in his letter that institutions entrusted with U.S. taxpayer dollars should not simultaneously enable foreign adversaries to access sensitive research.
The letter states that the University of Washington has collaborated on research with Chinese institutions tied to the CCP's military and defense sector, including entities on U.S. government watchlists. The committee cited joint publications with PLA-linked organizations, China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences and universities known as the "Seven Sons of National Defense," involving work in AI, advanced materials and other dual-use technologies.
The letter also claims Texas A&M partnered with Chinese defense-affiliated institutions, including the PLA's National University of Defense Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology. Moolenaar argued these collaborations raise national security concerns and could conflict with U.S. research security and export control laws.
Moolenaar's letter urges NSF to assess whether the institutions are complying with federal requirements including National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, and U.S. export control laws. He also raised concerns about potential violations of the Wolf Amendment, which restricts NASA cooperation with Chinese government-affiliated organizations.
What the Numbers Show
The SECURE initiative totals $67 million in funding. The University of Washington is designated to receive $50 million from the grant, while Texas A&M is slated for $17 million.
The letter requests NSF respond to four specific requests by March 31. The committee wants to know if NSF will pause funding for a full review, and whether NSF believes it is appropriate for universities to use taxpayer funds to conduct research with known Chinese defense research entities.
The Wolf Amendment, referenced in the letter, has been in effect since 2012 and prohibits NASA from engaging in bilateral cooperation with the Chinese government or Chinese government-affiliated organizations in NASA-funded research without specific certification.
The Bottom Line
The House Select Committee on China is asking NSF to evaluate whether universities with documented collaborations with Chinese military-linked institutions should be leading a federal research security initiative. The committee has requested a response by March 31.
The dispute highlights the tension between U.S. national security concerns and the increasingly global nature of scientific research. Universities have defended some international collaborations as essential to academic progress, while Republicans argue such partnerships pose risks to American technological advantage.
What to watch: Whether NSF pauses the SECURE initiative, and how participating universities respond to allegations about their international research partnerships. The committee's March 31 deadline gives the agency roughly three weeks to respond.