Moolenaar Statement on the New Charges Against Former U-M Scholars

Today, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan filed new charges of smuggling biological material against three Chinese nationals who were working at the University of Michigan. The three individuals had their employment terminated by the university after they refused to cooperate with the university’s internal investigation. That investigation was prompted by a letter Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar sent with House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin.

“These new charges reveal an organized network of scholars engaged in illegal activity on Michigan’s campus. It is part of a broader, coordinated campaign targeting universities across the country, driven by China’s efforts to acquire American technology. University leaders should launch internal reviews to safeguard their research from China’s adversarial actions. My colleagues and I appreciate the accountability we've seen from Michigan through our oversight efforts, and we will continue to use every tool we have to protect taxpayer-funded research and national security,” said Moolenaar. 

Moolenaar and Walberg support the SAFE Research Act. The legislation would stop federal STEM funding from going to universities or researchers that collaborate with China's military and intelligence services.