Washington, D.C.—In a sweeping effort to ensure American leadership in the fast-evolving field of biotechnology, a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) has proposed a $15 billion federal investment over five years.
The recommendation, released in conjunction with the announcement of the National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025, underscores growing concern over global competition—particularly from China—and the need to better coordinate the U.S. biotechnology strategy.
The legislation was introduced by NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (R-IN) alongside Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA). Together, they aim to “unlock private capital and streamline regulation” to fuel innovation in a sector that is rapidly shaping everything from medicine to national security.
According to the Commission’s findings, reported in its latest official release, the U.S. must allocate at least $15 billion in federal support to catalyze private sector investment in biotech. “Any smaller amount risks hamstringing U.S. innovation and product development,” the Commissioners warned.
“The government’s role is not to create a sluggish bureaucracy, but rather to empower American engineers and entrepreneurs to do what they do best: win,” the report states.
The initiative emphasizes a dual goal: maintaining the United States’ edge in biotechnology while forming global partnerships to develop ethical standards and secure practices in bio-innovation. The Commission laid out four core principles for U.S. action:
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Promote U.S. Biotechnology Innovation: Building on the nation’s history of groundbreaking technologies, from the internal combustion engine to life-saving medicines, the U.S. must remain a global pioneer in biotech under democratic values.
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Become the World’s Preferred Biotech Partner: By collaborating with allies and promoting responsible innovation, the U.S. seeks to position itself as a leader in the global biotech community.
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Protect the Domestic Biotech Industrial Base: National security tools must be employed to shield key technologies and supply chains from foreign threats and unfair practices, particularly from non-market actors like China.
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Advance Global Biosafety Standards: The Commission calls for international cooperation—including with China where “prudent”—to update biosafety and biosecurity protocols that could mitigate both accidental and deliberate biological threats.
The NSCEB’s report frames this investment not merely as economic or scientific policy, but as a national security imperative. The Commissioners contend that without decisive government action, the U.S. risks falling behind in one of the 21st century’s most consequential industries.
This story is based on information released by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. For further details, the Commission’s full report is available here.
