S. 81 – Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:28 AM UTC

The Viral Gain‑of‑Function Research Moratorium Act would halt all federal research grant funding to colleges, universities, or other research institutes that conduct gain‑of‑function studies. It targets work that could make influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses more pathogenic or transmissible, or any research that enhances potential pandemic pathogens. The bill’s purpose is to prevent federal support for such high‑risk research.

Key Provisions

Defines “gain‑of‑function research” as work that could increase the pathogenicity or transmissibility of influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses, or that could enhance potential pandemic pathogens or other risky dangerous pathogens.
Prohibits any federal research grant from being awarded to any higher‑education or research institution that is conducting gain‑of‑function research.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 5.

January 26, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 25, 2023

SenateCalendars

Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

January 25, 2023

SenateCalendars

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 5.

January 26, 2023

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 81 on the floor

2 Democrats

Sen. Charles E. SchumerD-NY · Jan 26, 2023

Mr. President, first, before I get to my remarks and housekeeping, I understand there are three bills at the desk due for a second reading, en bloc. Mr. President, in order to place the bills on the…

Sen. Christopher MurphyD-CT · Jan 25, 2023

I understand there are three bills at the desk and I ask for their first reading. Madam President, I ask for a second reading and in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of…

Bill Text

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Placed on Calendar SenateIssued January 26, 2023

II

Calendar No. 5

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 81

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 25, 2023

Mr. Marshall (for himself, Mr. Paul, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Tuberville, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Braun, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time

January 26, 2023

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

A BILL

To provide a moratorium on all Federal research grants provided to any institution of higher education or other research institute that is conducting gain-of-function research.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act.

2.

Prohibition on Federal research grants for institutions and research institutes conducting gain-of-function research

(a)

Definition of gain-of-Function research

In this section, the term gain-of-function research means any research that—

(1)

could confer attributes to influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses such that the virus would have enhanced pathogenicity or transmissibility in any organism; or

(2)

involves methods that could enhance potential pandemic pathogens or related risky research with potentially dangerous pathogens.

(b)

Prohibition

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no research grants supported by Federal funds may be awarded to institutions of higher education, or other research institutes, that are conducting gain-of-function research.

January 26, 2023

Read the second time and placed on the calendar