NASA says it explores and innovates “for the benefit of humanity,” but that should not mean the United States explores scientific frontiers on behalf of its enemies. The U.S. must do more to prevent sensitive research from being given away to China and other adversaries. It can start by strengthening a law that is already on the books.In 2011, Congress passed the Wolf Amendment, named after its sponsor, Rep. Frank Wolf, then a long-serving Republican congressman from Virginia. The amendment, a recurring provision in NASA’s appropriations acts, prohibits the agency from using federal funds for bilateral cooperation with China or Chinese-owned companies unless Congress authorizes it and the FBI certifies that the activity poses no national security risk.American tax dollars shouldn’t be empowering our foremost adversary. Yet that is precisely what has happened.
A recent report by the U.S. House Select Committee on China found that enforcement of the Wolf Amendment has been lackluster at best.
The committee identified “hundreds of co-authored publications demonstrating bilateral research relationships with Chinese entities that acknowledge NASA support or funding.” Each could pose risks to American competitiveness and national security.
