Two senior Republican senators, Tom Cotton and Mike Lee, have urged the Trump administration to limit Chinese nationals’ entry into America’s national laboratories. They expressed concerns about the exposure of sensitive research and advanced technologies to potential exploitation by Beijing. The senators highlighted data from the Department of Energy showing that thousands of Chinese nationals visit, work, and conduct research at US national laboratories, raising worries about intellectual property theft and technology transfer.
The senators emphasized that approximately 1,900 short-term visits, 1,300 long-term research assignments, and 2,100 formal employment positions were held by Chinese nationals in fiscal year 2025. Moreover, Chinese nationals accessed National Laboratory user facilities over 5,000 times during the same period. The senators underscored that this practice poses risks of foreign intelligence collection and technology transfers that could benefit adversaries.
Cotton and Lee pointed out significant vulnerabilities within America’s scientific institutions due to Chinese nationals’ access. They highlighted China’s efforts to surpass the US in research and development by allegedly stealing American intellectual property and technologies. The senators questioned the Energy Department on its security measures concerning China’s National Intelligence Law, which mandates cooperation with Chinese intelligence services when required.
The senators raised concerns about Chinese nationals working alongside American scientists, remote access to sensitive research environments, and participation in unclassified research programs. They also inquired about counter-intelligence assessments regarding concentrations of Chinese researchers in specific laboratories. Cotton and Lee stressed the systemic exposure of National Labs to an adversary determined to undermine the US, emphasizing the importance of protecting national security and critical technologies.
