U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations: Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students.

The article discusses the opposition from U.S. researchers and academic advocates against the proposed Securing American Funding and Expertise from Adversarial Research Exploitation (SAFE) Act, which would restrict federal funding for scientists collaborating with individuals from countries deemed hostile, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Nearly 800 academics have signed a letter opposing the bill, arguing that it could hinder vital research collaborations and lead to arbitrary enforcement due to vague definitions of "affiliation." Critics, including representatives from higher education institutions, express concerns that the act could exacerbate tensions between the U.S. and China and negatively impact scientific progress. The final outcome of the legislation remains uncertain as Congress reconciles differing versions of the National Defense Authorization Act. [Extracted from the article]