H.R. 6363 – Genetic Sequencing Accountability Act

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 8:48 AM UTC

The Genetic Sequencing Accountability Act directs the Comptroller General to study how the Department of Health and Human Services funds entities that perform human genomic sequencing or related genetic services, especially when those entities are linked to foreign countries of concern. The goal is to assess any national‑security risks from foreign access to U.S. genetic data and to evaluate whether current funding and security practices are adequate. The findings and recommendations will guide future funding decisions and data‑protection measures affecting both U.S. agencies and the entities they fund.

Key Provisions

The GAO must conduct a study on the extent to which HHS funds entities that provide human genomic sequencing or genetic services, focusing on ties to foreign countries of concern.
The study must examine potential foreign acquisition of U.S. genetic information, the feasibility of using domestic entities instead, and whether existing data‑use agreements and security measures adequately protect sensitive data.
The GAO must make recommendations to address any identified national‑security vulnerabilities.
A report of the study must be delivered within two years to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in an unclassified format with a possible classified annex.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 11, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 10, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 10, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 11, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 10, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6363

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 10, 2022

Mr. Bucshon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on funding to entities utilizing such funding for human genomic sequencing or genetic services.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Genetic Sequencing Accountability Act .

2.

GAO Study

(a)

In general

The Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this section as the Comptroller General) shall conduct a study to assess the extent to which the Department of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Department) utilizes or provides funding to entities that utilize such funds for human genomic sequencing services or genetic services (as such term is defined in section 201(6) of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 2000ff(6))) provided by entities organized under the laws of a country or countries of concern, in the estimation of the Director of National Intelligence or the head of another Federal department or agency, as appropriate.

(b)

Considerations

In carrying out the study under this section, the Comptroller General shall—

(1)

consider—

(A)

what is known about the extent to which the country or countries of concern could obtain human genomic information of citizens and residents of the United States from such entities that sequence, analyze, collect, or store human genomic information and which the Director of National Intelligence or the head of another Federal department or agency reasonably anticipates may use such information in a manner inconsistent with the national security interests of the United States;

(B)

whether the Department or recipient of such funds from the Department sought to provide funding to, or to use, domestic entities with no such ties to the country or countries of concern for such purposes and any barriers to the use of domestic entities; and

(C)

whether the Department has processes in place to ensure that data use agreements, data security measures, and other such measures taken by the Department or recipient of such funds from the Department are sufficient to protect the identifiable, sensitive information of the people of the United States and the national security interests of the United States; and

(2)

make recommendations to address any vulnerabilities to the United States national security identified, as appropriate.

(c)

Estimation

In conducting the study under this section, the Comptroller General may, as appropriate and necessary to complete such study, investigate specific instances of such utilization of genetic sequencing services or genetic services, as described in subsection (a), to produce estimates of the potential prevalence of such utilization among entities in receipt of Departmental funds.

(d)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report on the study under this section to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, to the extent practicable, but may include a classified annex.