HR 9748: Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act

HR 9748 in plain English: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to create a policy protecting research and development from unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive information. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to report on whether DHS has complied with a 2021 presidential memorandum requiring disclosures about conflicts of interest involving foreign governments in federally funded research.

Stated purpose

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to create a department-wide policy protecting research and development from unauthorized access to sensitive information. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on how well DHS has followed a 2021 presidential directive requiring disclosures about conflicts of interest in government-funded research, including ties to foreign governments.

Key points

• Requires DHS to develop a policy safeguarding research and development from unauthorized access or sensitive information disclosures.
• Directs the GAO to assess DHS compliance with a 2021 presidential memorandum on government-funded research disclosures.
• Targets conflicts of interest involving foreign governments in DHS-related research and acquisitions.

Arguments supporters make

• DHS handles sensitive national security research, and having a formal policy to protect it from unauthorized foreign access closes a real security gap.
• Requiring a GAO audit ensures Congress can verify that DHS is actually following existing rules, not just promising to — adding real accountability.
• Coordinating DHS research security with standards from other federal science agencies creates a more consistent, government-wide defense against foreign interference.

Arguments opponents make

• The bill largely directs DHS to do things already expected under existing presidential directives, raising questions about whether new legislation adds meaningful protection beyond paperwork.
• Creating another layer of reporting and policy requirements could divert limited DHS Science and Technology resources away from actual research toward compliance administration.
• The bill does not include enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance, which critics may argue makes it largely symbolic without teeth to change behavior.

Tradeoffs

Strengthening oversight and documentation of research security may improve accountability but could add administrative burden to DHS research operations; the bill prioritizes formal policy compliance and transparency over giving agencies flexibility to manage research security on their own terms.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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