U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB10859: Biotech Defense Act
Status: In committee, October 22, 2026
To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy with respect to threats posed by the biotechnology capabilities of foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy with respect to threats posed by the biotechnology capabilities of foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, October 22, 2026:
A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy with respect to threats posed by the biotechnology capabilities of foreign adversaries, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Biotech Defense Act . SECTION 2. Countering biotechnology threats from the People's Republic of China (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the rapid advancement of the People's Republic of China in biotechnology, including gene-editing, synthetic biology, and dual-use technologies, poses a significant threat to the national security of the United States and its military superiority; (2) China's military-civil fusion strategy integrates civilian biotechnology research with military applications, potentially enabling the development of enhanced soldier capabilities, bioweapons, and other asymmetric threats; (3) China's dominance in global biotechnology supply chains and its strategic investments in United States biotechnology firms risk undermining United States innovation, security, and access to critical resources; (4) the United States must proactively integrate biotechnology threats into its defense planning and intelligence assessments to maintain strategic advantages; and (5) robust oversight of foreign investments and partnerships in the United States biotechnology sector is essential to safeguard sensitive technologies and data from adversarial exploitation. (b) Integration of threats into national defense strategy Chapter 2 of title 10, United …
Sponsors
- Sheri Biggs (R, HD-SC-3) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Common questions
- What is HB10859?
- HB10859 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Biotech Defense Act.
- What does HB10859 do?
- In its own words: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy with respect to threats posed by the biotechnology capabilities of foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB10859?
- In committee as of October 22, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (October 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB10859?
- Sheri Biggs (R, HD-SC-3).
- Where is the official record for HB10859?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10859
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.