118 S81 PCS: Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act U.S. Senate 2023-01-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 5118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 81IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 25, 2023Mr. Marshall (for himself, Mr. Paul, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Tuberville, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Braun, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read the first timeJanuary 26, 2023Read the second time and placed on the calendarA BILLTo provide a moratorium on all Federal research grants provided to any institution of higher education or other research institute that is conducting gain-of-function research.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act.

2.

Prohibition on Federal research grants for institutions and research institutes conducting gain-of-function research

(a)

Definition of gain-of-Function research

In this section, the term gain-of-function research means any research that—(1) could confer attributes to influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses such that the virus would have enhanced pathogenicity or transmissibility in any organism; or(2) involves methods that could enhance potential pandemic pathogens or related risky research with potentially dangerous pathogens. (b)

Prohibition

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no research grants supported by Federal funds may be awarded to institutions of higher education, or other research institutes, that are conducting gain-of-function research.

January 26, 2023Read the second time and placed on the calendar