Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joins Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee as an original cosponsor of the Protecting American Innovation Act led by Trade Subcommittee Republican Leader Adrian Smith (NE-03) and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Vern Buchanan (FL-16). 

This legislation is meant to prevent the White House from dismantling American innovation and handing over U.S. intellectual property to adversaries like China and Russia through negotiations about a potential waiver of certain obligations under the World Trade Organization’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

“Protecting our intellectual property is one of the most important precautions we can take to remain competitive on a global scale,” said Rep. Hern.  “The Biden Administration’s proposal to waive these protections could not come at a worse time and will open a path for international competitors to steal cutting-edge research and development from American companies.  I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this measure and will always work to put American innovation first.”

Background Information

The Protecting American Innovation Act would affirm Congress’s authority over international trade by requiring the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to notify and consult with Congress when negotiating any suspension or modification of U.S. trade agreements, including any COVID-related TRIPS waivers. The bill would also require the Executive Branch to develop an interagency public health report to determine how a potential TRIPS waiver would increase global vaccine access and availability and make any TRIPS waiver – as well as other potential modifications to trade agreements – subject to congressional approval.

The bill text can be found here.

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