{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"COVID–19 Accountability Act","description":"

COVID-19 Accountability Act

This bill authorizes sanctions in relation to the Chinese government's response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. It also increases the research tax credit and imposes requirements related to the acquisition of items for the Strategic National Stockpile.

The President shall periodically certify to Congress that the Chinese government (1) is cooperating with efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreak, (2) has prohibited wet markets, and (3) has released and dropped all charges for anyone involved in protests in Hong Kong related to COVID-19. If the President cannot make such a certification, the President may (1) impose sanctions on Chinese government officials, entities owned or controlled by the Chinese government, and individuals affiliated with such entities; or (2) prohibit Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas (i.e., F and M visas) or exchange visitor visas (i.e., J visas).

With respect to the research tax credit, the bill increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20% of qualified research expenses above a certain threshold.

The Department of Health and Human Services generally may not purchase personal protective equipment, critical medical supplies, or certain fabric products not produced in the United States for the Strategic National Stockpile. However, this restriction shall not apply if (1) there is not a sufficient amount of U.S.-produced items available at U.S. market prices when needed, or (2) the purchase is worth less than $150,000.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 3683","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lindsey Graham","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/lindsey-graham-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Agricultural marketing and promotion, Animal and plant health, Animal protection and human-animal relationships, Appropriations, Asia, Cardiovascular and respiratory health, China, Congressional oversight, Department of Health and Human Services, Detention of persons, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation, Emergency medical services and trauma care, Foreign and international corporations, Foreign loans and debt, Foreign property, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management, Government studies and investigations, Health personnel, Health technology, devices, supplies, Higher education, Hong Kong, Human rights, Immigration status and procedures, Income tax credits, Infectious and parasitic diseases, International exchange and broadcasting, International organizations and cooperation, Manufacturing, Multilateral development programs, Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents, Protest and dissent, Public contracts and procurement, Research and development, Sanctions, Securities, Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status, Strategic materials and reserves, Taiwan, United Nations, U.S. and foreign investments, Visas and passports, War and emergency powers, Worker safety and health, World health","dateModified":"2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-116-S-3683"}

Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Finance Committee