# Plain Language Summary: Defund EcoHealth Alliance Act

This bill would cut off all federal government funding to an organization called EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. EcoHealth Alliance is a nonprofit research organization that studies diseases in animals and how they might spread to humans. The organization receives federal money from agencies like the National Institutes of Health to fund research projects, often working with universities and international partners to understand emerging infectious diseases and prevent pandemics.

The bill prevents any federal money—whether from grants, contracts, or any other type of government funding—from going to EcoHealth Alliance or any organizations it directly controls. This is a complete funding ban with no exceptions. The bill was introduced by members of Congress who have raised concerns about EcoHealth Alliance's past work, particularly regarding funding that may have gone to research facilities in China, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Beyond the immediate funding ban, the bill also requires a government audit to investigate how much federal money EcoHealth Alliance received over the previous ten years and whether any of that money ended up going to China, the Chinese Communist Party, or Chinese research labs. This audit would need to be completed within two years and reported to Congress.

For most Americans, this bill wouldn't have a direct personal impact on their daily lives. However, it could affect the broader landscape of disease research and pandemic prevention efforts, since EcoHealth Alliance has been involved in studying how viruses jump from animals to humans—research that many scientists say is important for preparing for future disease outbreaks. The bill reflects ongoing political disagreements about international scientific collaboration and oversight of government research funding.

Defund EcoHealth Alliance Act

Reschenthaler, Guy

Defund EcoHealth Alliance Act This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to EcoHealth Alliance, Inc (including any subsidiaries or related organizations). This is a nonprofit research organization that studies coronaviruses in bat populations and other environmental health concerns. The Government Accountability Office must also audit federal funds provided to that organization over the past decade. The audit must include the amount of those funds provided by EcoHealth Alliance to China, the Chinese Communist Party, or the Wuhan Institute of Virology.