Bill expands CFIUS oversight to labs, water systems, and spy agencies
In committeeH.R. 5236Latest action
Sponsor: Chris Pappas · Representative · NH
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Critical Infrastructure Security Act
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 5236 expands CFIUS review to cover foreign purchases near intel agencies, National Labs, and drinking water systems.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 5236 expands the authority of CFIUS to scrutinize foreign real estate and business purchases near intelligence agency buildings, National Laboratories, and drinking water infrastructure. Each CFIUS member agency would be required to review and update its list of sensitive facilities annually, submitting a signed report to the CFIUS chairperson by January 31 each year. Completed reviews involving these sensitive properties must also be included in the committee's annual public report to Congress.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects federal agencies that sit on CFIUS and foreign investors or buyers seeking to purchase real estate or businesses near designated sensitive U.S. sites. Members of Congress who oversee national security are also affected through expanded reporting requirements.
Why does it matter?
Adding intelligence facilities, National Laboratories, and drinking water systems to the list of protected sites increases the range of foreign transactions subject to national security review. The annual agency reporting requirement creates a formal accountability mechanism that did not previously exist under CFIUS rules.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 9, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Sep 9, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.