Senators Seek Restrictions on Chinese Access to National Laboratories

The letter cited Department of Energy data showing Chinese nationals made roughly 1,900 short-term visits and 1,300 long-term research assignments at the 17 labs during fiscal year 2025. Another 2,100 Chinese nationals were employed by the department in the same period, and remote access occurred more than 5,000 times.

The senators stated that these figures reflect severe vulnerabilities at the nation's premier scientific facilities. They noted China's National Intelligence Law requires citizens to cooperate with intelligence services. The letter asked how the department accounts for that requirement, why Chinese nationals are permitted entry, how sensitive the accessed technology is, and what restrictions currently apply.

The same senators wrote to Wright in January urging a ban on Chinese nationals at the labs. In March 2025 they introduced legislation to bar nationals of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from the facilities. The Department of Energy oversees the network of 17 laboratories across the country.