WASHINGTON — The House Monday passed a bill by 306 to 81 votes to make drug companies stop doing business with some Chinese biotechs within eight years if they want to remain in good standing with the federal government.
The BIOSECURE Act would prohibit the U.S. government from contracting with, or providing grants to, companies that do business with a “biotechnology company of concern.” It specifically names five Chinese companies: BGI, MGI Tech, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and Wuxi Biologics.
BIOSECURE would likely need to hitch a ride with a larger legislative vehicle, such as the annual defense bill or government funding legislation, during the lame duck session between the elections and when newly elected officials take office. The vote on Monday makes it easier to attach BIOSECURE to a legislative package, though the true test will be in the Senate where individual lawmakers have much more power than in the House.
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