Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens the U.S. ability to quickly punish and block chemical/biological threats and protect sensitive technology, but it risks diplomatic and economic fallout, disrupts scientific collaboration, raises compliance costs, and creates potential due-process concerns for individuals subject to expedited sanctions.
U.S. officials can impose sanctions on foreign officials and foreign-government employees accused of covered chemical/biological attacks much faster, with the President required to decide within 60 days.
The bill creates clearer, standardized factors and requires reports that specify sanctions when individuals are found responsible, improving transparency and consistency in U.S. responses.
U.S. nationals harmed by covered chemical/biological acts may receive restitution if the foreign government remedies the harm, providing a path to compensation.
Individuals accused under the accelerated procedures may face sanctions after a relatively short review period, increasing the risk of error or insufficient investigation and raising due-process concerns.
Broad sanctions, termination of cooperation, and financial/transaction prohibitions could escalate diplomatic tensions and provoke economic retaliation that harms U.S. exporters, banks, and the broader economy.
Suspending scientific partnerships and cooperation disrupts research projects, funding, and education collaborations, harming scientists, universities, and long‑term research progress.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Requires presidential findings when a foreign official likely committed a covered chemical/biological act and mandates country-level sanctions, export controls, and suspension of scientific cooperation.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Barry Moore · Last progress February 12, 2026
Requires the President to make and report a formal determination when credible information indicates a foreign official, employee, or agent likely committed a covered chemical or biological act on or after enactment, and to apply prescribed sanctions against the country most closely associated with that foreign entity. Creates a new mandatory sanctions scheme that includes near-term measures (suspension of U.S. scientific cooperation, export restrictions on certain controlled items, and procurement prohibitions) and additional mandatory penalties (such as termination of most foreign assistance and broader export controls) if a follow-up report finds inadequate remediation, information-sharing, or treaty compliance. Also reorganizes and clarifies certain statutory purpose language in the underlying Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act, adjusts a statutory cross-reference, and adds timing, reporting, and factors the President must consider when making individual-focused determinations.