Part ofbiosecurity →

FEDERALcongressional record

High Impact

The Risky Research Review Act (SA 6116)

Original title: Text of Senate Amendment 6116

June 24, 2026

biosecurity federal research funding government oversight public health national security scientific research

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The Frame

What this does

If enacted, this amendment would require all federal agencies to submit high-risk life sciences research proposals to a new independent board for approval, potentially delaying or stopping research projects that do not meet the board's safety and security standards.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Life sciences researchers

Researchers seeking federal funding must attest to the risk level of their work and are subject to the Board's review and approval process.

Federal agencies

Agencies must submit high-risk research proposals to the Board and are prohibited from awarding funding without the Board's approval.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This amendment proposes the creation of an independent Life Sciences Research Security Board to review and approve federal funding for high-risk life sciences research. The Board would have the authority to block federal grants for research deemed to pose significant risks to public health or national security.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of research will this Board review?

The Board will review 'high-risk life sciences research,' which includes dual-use research involving s or gain-of-function research.

Can the Board stop a research project from receiving federal money?

Yes, the Board has the authority to issue a binding determination on whether an agency may award federal funding for proposed high-risk research.

Who appoints the members of the Board?

The President appoints the 9 members of the Board after considering recommendations from the chair and ranking member of the relevant congressional committees.

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

congressional_record

Senate Scheduling Update for S. 4784

The Senate has agreed to delay the vote on a cloture motion for S. 4784 until after the confirmation vote for the Schwartz nomination. This procedural

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Centralization of Research Oversight

The amendment shifts the final authority for approving high-risk life sciences research from individual federal agencies to a single, centralized independent board.

Life Sciences Research Security Board

Connected Entities

personMr. Paul“Senator who submitted the amendment.”Map →

organizationCommittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives“Congressional committee with oversight jurisdiction.”Map →

organizationCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate“Congressional committee with oversight jurisdiction.”Map →

organizationLife Sciences Research Security Board“Proposed independent board to oversee high-risk research funding.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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