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Moran, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Film Jobs Home

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) introduced the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act in the House. This bipartisan legislation is aimed at reviving American film and television production across the U.S., which will bring further economic growth to our communities. Moran is joined by Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Brian Jack (R-GA-03), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03) in introduction. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, joined by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The bill would create a federal tax credit for productions made in the United States, aimed at reversing the flow of film and television jobs to the numerous foreign countries that are luring these American productions away. The goal is to bring that work back to American crews, small businesses, and the communities that depend on the industry.

“When a production comes to a community—from rural East Texas to urban New York—that money doesn't just benefit the production company. It helps the local caterer, the hardware store, the hoteliers, and every tradesman in between who makes film and television production possible. Those jobs are going overseas right now simply because other countries are offering bigger handouts. If we want to keep American storytelling in America, we have to level the playing field, and that's exactly what this bill does. This isn't about subsidizing Hollywood—it's about supporting the American worker, one story and one production at a time. I'm proud to work with Senator Scott and our bipartisan group in both chambers to get this done, and I'm grateful to Ambassador Jon Voight and Sean Astin for the work they've put into pushing this forward,” said Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01).

“Having worked in a movie theater growing up, I saw early on how films can move and inspire generations of Americans. Films like ‘The Notebook’ bring us to tears, and films like ‘Forrest Gump’ inspire us to see the world differently. That is the power of film, and South Carolina is blessed to have served as the backdrop for both of these iconic American stories,” said Sen. Scott. “We cannot stand by as more and more American film production moves overseas, taking jobs, investment, and an important source of American cultural influence with it. This legislation will create jobs in communities across America, support local economies, and help ensure that the next generation of iconic American films is made right here in America. Hollywood’s history is legendary, but the future of American filmmaking can be even brighter.”

“For years, I've been championing a federal film tax credit to stop the exodus of TV and film production leaving the United States for countries offering higher incentives. Now, we have the best opportunity in decades to get it done. The direct and indirect jobs created by this creative and talented workforce are enormously important, and we want to make sure they stay in this country. With the support of the White House, our bill will create an overdue federal program to bring the movie magic back to America while creating thousands of jobs and spurring local economic growth across the nation. This legislation has bipartisan, bicameral support, and it's time we get this passed,” said Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“The United States is losing good-paying union jobs because it's become too expensive to film here. This isn't about the actors who star in films and can travel for a shoot. It's about the production crews and set builders, the backbone of the film industry. Our bill would create incentives to bring those jobs back home and boost local economies, not just in California, but across the country,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38).

“My Congressional District is home to Trilith Studios, and I proudly represent the craftsmen, electricians, and carpenters who work hard to create movies that inspire generations of Americans. Study after study has demonstrated that American film production delivers substantial economic benefits to communities across our country by creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and generating millions of dollars in local economic activity. I applaud President Trump's leadership in calling for a legislative solution to bring film production back to the United States, and I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in Congress to advance our legislation and achieve this important goal,” said Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA-03).

“For over a year, I've worked to build a coalition of unions, studios, Republicans and Democrats, and the White House, because we knew that a national film tax credit would bring hundreds of thousands of jobs back to our country,” said Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA-30). “This bill is a result of that coalition. It tells every country that has been outbidding us for American work that we are done losing.”

“Ohio has a rich history in film production, from ‘The Deer Hunter’ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to ‘The Avengers’ and ‘A Christmas Story.’ Many of these filming locations have become tourist attractions and are economic drivers to this day. The film industry provides high-paying jobs for artists, small businesses, and union workers. As other countries implement beneficial tax incentives to draw production away from the United States, Congress must work to ensure the United States stays competitive. I would like to commend Representative Moran for introducing this important legislation. As Chairman of the Humanities Caucus and a member of the tax-writing committee, I am confident this bill will help the United States maintain its global influence, as well as the high-paying jobs, associated with film production,” said Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH-15).

“For generations, Southern California has been the heart of America's film and television industry, supporting thousands of workers and small businesses in the San Gabriel Valley and across our region. But today, too many productions are leaving for other countries, taking good-paying jobs and economic opportunity with them. We cannot stand by while communities across the United States lose these productions and the jobs they support. That's why I am so proud to co-lead the bipartisan, bicameral Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, which will create a new federal tax credit to incentivize film and television production here in America. This bill will help bring productions and jobs back home, support our creative workforce, and keep Southern California the entertainment capital of the world,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-28).

“The film and TV industry is an economic engine in New York. It supports thousands of good jobs at good wages,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03). “America is the entertainment leader of the world and this bill incentivizes filmmakers and studios to hire American workers. I'm proud to help lead this commonsense, bipartisan effort.”

What the Bill Does

- Creates a new federal tax credit for American film and television productionsGives an added incentive to productions filmed in rural communities designated as federal Opportunity Zones

- Gives an added incentive to productions filmed in federally declared disaster areasCovers every phase of production, including principal photography, traditional post-production, and visual effects, as long as the work happens in the United States

- Extends the benefit to the whole country, beyond major hubs like Los Angeles and New York

Texas already has a program that mirrors this legislation. In 2025, the state passed Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), committing $300 million every two years through 2035 to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP). Productions that qualify can get back 5 to 25 percent of what they spend in the state, and there are extra grants on top of that for projects that film in rural areas, use historic sites, or partner with Texas universities to train workers. The industry already supports more than 59,000 jobs and $4.8 billion in wages in Texas alone. The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act builds a federal layer on top of what Texas is already doing under TMIIIP.

Endorsed by: American Federation of Musicians, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Coalition for American Production (CAP), CreativeFuture, Directors Guild of America (DGA), FilmUSA, Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Motion Picture Association (MPA), Paramount, Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Teamsters, Television Academy, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW)

“I want to thank President Trump for bringing national attention to the urgent need for a federal film and television production tax credit and for calling on Congress to act,” said Jon Voight, United States Special Ambassador to Hollywood. “I also want to thank Senators Tim Scott and Adam Schiff, along with Representatives Nathaniel Moran, Linda Sánchez, Brian Jack, and Laura Friedman, for their work on this bipartisan effort to bring productions and jobs back to the United States. The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act will restore the American film and television industry, put crews back to work, support productions at all levels, and create economic opportunities in communities nationwide. All Americans want to bring our iconic film industry home, and we can do it by working together to get this important legislation passed quickly.”

“Paramount fully supports this legislation and thanks Representative Moran for his bipartisan leadership on this important issue. America's highly skilled production workforce — including camera operators, set production designers, editors, visual effects artists, lighting and sound crews, costume and makeup teams, transportation workers, filmmakers, and countless others — are critical to our nation's economy and have built and powered one of this country's greatest cultural exports. We believe now is the time to pursue this important legislation, so we can support our critical production workers and make more films and TV right here at home. Paramount will continue working closely with our union partners and the broader creative industry at every level to help support this effort,” said David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation.

“SAG-AFTRA is proud to partner with our fellow unions, industry and policymakers in a bipartisan effort to rescue the domestic film and television business. The money is being invested, the productions are being made, the jobs are being created, just not in America. This is a jobs bill and that is exactly what our members want to see. We have the infrastructure. We have the crews. We have the talent. Now all we need is a level playing field. We are the storytellers who inform and entertain the world. Let's get back to doing that right here at home. Thank you, Senators Scott and Schiff and Representatives Moran, Sánchez, Friedman, and Jack, for championing this critical legislation,” said Sean Astin, President, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

“The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act is the most significant legislative effort in a generation to promote domestic film and television production, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports. This moment is the culmination of years of work by the entertainment guilds and unions, in partnership with the MPA and lawmakers from both parties. The DGA thanks Senators Scott and Schiff and Representatives Moran, Jack, and Friedman for advancing this important bipartisan effort to strengthen domestic production, create jobs, and further build on the critical work already underway through state incentives in California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, and elsewhere. We also acknowledge the leadership of Ambassador Voight on this issue. We look forward to working with our partners in Congress, labor, the Administration, and at the studios to get this bill signed into law,” said Christopher Nolan, President, Directors Guild of America.

“The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act would deliver a true gamechanger for American creators, workers, and businesses, a federal incentive that supercharges production at home, fuels jobs and growth in local communities, and makes the United States a more competitive destination for the next generation of great film and television. There's a reason everyone from President Trump to a bipartisan group of members in Congress to studios, unions, guilds, and more want to get this done. Passing this legislation could inject $250 billion into the country's economy and deliver nearly 145,000 new jobs every year across all 50 states. That's a story we can write together by enacting this bill, to ensure that more stories are crafted, created, and made here in America. The Motion Picture Association thanks Senators Tim Scott and Adam Schiff, and Representatives Nathaniel Moran, Linda Sánchez, Brian Jack, Laura Friedman, Mike Carey, Judy Chu, David Kustoff, and Tom Suozzi for their leadership in support of America's creative economy,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association.

Read full statements of support from these organizations and industry leaders here.

Background:

Many of the films Americans watch again and again were made here, by American crews, in American towns. “The Sandlot” was shot in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. “Jaws” was filmed on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. “Top Gun” was made in San Diego. “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, and went on to become one of the most beloved American films ever made. “Singin’ in the Rain” was shot at MGM's old studios in Culver City, and “The Natural” was filmed in Buffalo, New York. If those productions had gone somewhere cheaper, they wouldn't be the movies people know today.

The legislation follows public comments from President Trump this summer encouraging Congress to act on a bipartisan basis to bring film and television production back to the United States. Additional input and analysis on the legislation will take place as the bipartisan members work through the legislative process in both chambers with the goal of having the bill reach final consideration before the end of the year.

This legislation builds on work Rep. Moran began earlier this month, when he co-founded the bipartisan Congressional American Film & TV Production Caucus alongside Reps. Brian Jack (R-GA-03), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03) to revitalize American film and television production.

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Moran Highlights Working Families Tax Cuts Impact on East Texans

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) traveled across East Texas this summer to see firsthand how the Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering real relief for families, workers, and small businesses in the First District.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts are showing up in the paychecks and kitchen-table budgets of East Texas families," said Rep. Moran. "Since it was signed into law a little over a year ago, I've seen it firsthand. A small business owner is reinvesting in his team, a server is keeping more of what she earns, and a family has a little more breathing room at tax time. This law is about giving East Texans liberty over their own money and their own futures.”

What East Texans Are Saying:

Harrison County Sheriff BJ Fletcher has seen meaningful investments strengthen public safety and support law enforcement across the district. Watch HERE.

Carol from Queen City recently began receiving Social Security. The No Tax on Social Security provision is putting more of her hard-earned money back in her pocket — where it belongs. Watch HERE.

Clayton and his wife own and operate a farm-to-table meat ranch on 300-plus acres in Troup. Before the Working Families Tax Cuts, their estate tax exemption stood at $5 million. Now it stands at $30 million for a married couple — protecting their ranch from a 40% inheritance tax so they can pass it to their kids. Watch HERE.

Makenzie is using the permanently doubled Child Tax Credit to provide for her children and pay down debt. Watch HERE.

Elijah saw real savings when he worked through his taxes this year, thanks to a bigger refund under the Working Families Tax Cuts. Watch HERE.

Jonathan deducted up to $25,000 of his overtime pay filing jointly with his wife — money he and his family are investing back into their future as they balance school and work. Watch HERE.

Josiah, owner of Yosemite Roofing and Xtreme Metals in East Texas, is taking advantage of the Working Families Tax Cuts expensing provisions. He can now write off his Made in America manufacturing plant and equipment immediately, freeing up capital to build and invest in East Texas. Watch HERE.

Benjamin, owner of 1776 Auto Sales, has seen No Tax on Auto Loan Interest deliver real savings for buyers of American-made cars across the First District. Watch HERE.

Justin is feeling real relief under the permanently doubled Standard Deduction. Watch HERE.

Rep. Moran Goes Back to His Roots:

Thirty years ago, Rep. Moran waited tables at Mercado's in Tyler to pay for college. This summer, he returned and worked a shift alongside the staff to highlight what the Working Families Tax Cuts mean for the people who serve East Texas every day.

After ten years in the restaurant industry, Mercado's server and mother of four, Tiffany, is keeping more of what she earns thanks to No Tax on Tips. Watch HERE.

Watch the full story HERE.

On the Ground in East Texas:

AAON Inc. Manufacturing Tour — Longview: Moran toured AAON's newly expanded 250,000-square-foot Longview facility, consolidating coil production and unit manufacturing under one roof. AAON has grown into a $1.4 billion company since setting up operations in Longview in 1988 and stands as Gregg County's largest employer. Moran met with workers on the floor and discussed how the Working Families Tax Cuts restored 100% bonus depreciation and the permanent small business deduction to free up capital for new equipment, facilities, and jobs.

Trump Accounts Roundtable: Moran joined local families and financial advisors — hosted by Randy Childress — to discuss how Trump Accounts under the Working Families Tax Cuts help families build generational wealth. Investing in children's futures is investing in the American Dream.

No Tax on Social Security Roundtable: Moran sat down with East Texas seniors to discuss the No Tax on Social Security provision and what that relief means for our seniors.

Smith Sawmill Service — Overtime Worker Visit: Moran met with workers at Smith Sawmill Service, a manufacturer founded in 1990 with over 200 years of combined employee experience supplying sawmill equipment to operations worldwide. Workers shared firsthand how No Tax on Overtime is increasing take-home pay when they put in the extra hours. The Working Families Tax Cuts' expensing provisions also allow Smith Sawmill to immediately write off qualifying equipment investments, keeping East Texas manufacturing growing.

Small Business Roundtable — Marshall: Moran joined the Marshall Economic Development Corporation and local small business leaders to discuss the law's permanent 199A 20% small business deduction, which provides entrepreneurs with greater certainty to reinvest in their businesses.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Increase Liberty for East Texans:

In a recent op-ed for the Tyler Morning Telegraph, Rep. Moran highlighted the results: 97% of tax filers received a cut, $82 billion in relief delivered, and provisions like No Tax on Overtime putting real money back in East Texans' pockets. From a permanently doubled Child Tax Credit to Trump Accounts already used by 5.5 million families, the Working Families Tax Cuts are putting liberty back where it belongs.

Read the full op-ed HERE.

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KLTV7: Rep. Nathaniel Moran holds East Texas roundtable on bill to support foster youth

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Congressman Nathaniel Moran brought East Texas foster care groups and advocates together in Tyler to discuss the Fostering the Future Act, a bill that would reform the federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, for current and former foster youth, ages 14 to 21.

“The best ideas don’t come from DC. They come from local individuals, the neighbors that are loving on neighbors, the people that are involved in the trench work to help these kids and to love on these kids,” Moran said.

The Chafee program was created in 1999. The Fostering the Future Act would increase education training vouchers under the program from $5,000 annually to $12,000.

“We tackle a couple of the challenges. One is education training vouchers. That’s the part of the bill that I was proud to write. It increases these training vouchers from $5,000 annually to $12,000,” Moran said.

The bill would also expand how those vouchers can be used, including for workforce training and apprenticeships.

Local advocates like Christi Sowell with The Fostering Collective in Tyler, said receiving the funding is only part of the challenge.

“So currently a lot of the funding is not being used. So in Texas, over $1,000,000 went back to the federal government because children just didn’t have access to it and didn’t use it,” Sowell said.

Sowell said mentorship helps young people navigate college applications, housing and transportation.

“Books, meals, transportation, all of those obstacles that our kids have to overcome because they don’t have families supporting them,” Christi said.

Moran said the goal is to make sure turning 18 does not mean losing support.

“Every kid needs that. We can’t just drop the bucket when they turn 18,” Moran said.

The bill passed the U.S. House in May and now awaits consideration in the Senate.

“So, this bill is going to help become a bridge for kids to get to the other side to adulthood as they’re transitioning and not just a cliff that they’ll fall off of,” Christi said.

Moran said he will take the ideas and concerns he heard at the roundtable back to Washington, D.C., with the goal of exploring potential solutions for the next Congress, which begins Jan. 3, 2027.

To read more about H.R. 7432, Fostering the Future Act, click here.

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting, you can email hello@heartgalleryetx.org or visit Heart Gallery East Texas.

By Brooke Dearing

Copyright 2026 KLTV. All rights reserved.

Tyler Morning Telegraph: Rep. Nathaniel Moran hosts foster youth roundtable in Tyler to hear input on local care policies and needs

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) partnered with the The Fostering Collective on Friday in Tyler for a foster youth roundtable discussion with East Texas stakeholders.

The congressman invited around 20 local professionals and stakeholders to discuss the state of foster care in East Texas and to provide input about needed federal policy changes and pathways for aging out foster youth. The group also reviewed the Fostering the Future Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in May and now awaits consideration from the Senate.

The roundtable had two primary goals, Moran said.

“One is to help the East Texas community understand what we’re doing in the Work and Welfare Subcommittee on Ways and Means as it relates to supporting foster and adoptive care services,” Moran said. “Then the second objective, which is really the more important one, is to hear from the local community, to understand further needs that we need to address and help us understand the impact of our federal policies on local support for foster care.”

The Fostering the Future Act (H.R. 7432) reforms the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, which supports foster youth ages 14 to 21. The new bill expands the Chaffee Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) cap from the current $5,000 per year for postsecondary education to $12,000 while maintaining current funding levels. It also increases access to legal services, short-term workforce training programs, federal housing programs and connects parents to Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting services.

The bill fine-tunes the Chafee Program for the first time since its creation in 1999, Moran said.

“We can increase the (ETV cap) right now without increasing overall appropriations because it’s not being used across the United States the way it should,” Moran said. “States are returning millions of dollars back to the federal government. We don’t want that money back. We want that money in the hands of foster youth that are trying to actually better themselves through education.”

Moran said when the House of Representatives was discussing the bill in Washington D.C., a student from Stephen F. Austin State University and young adult who has aged out of foster care testified $5,000 is simply not enough to cover the cost of college anymore.

“It doesn’t limit them to just a certain number of institutions and it gives them the opportunity to actually pursue the American dream the way we all want them to,” Moran said. “If you give these kids a great head start that have had a tough road in the past, then they won’t be dependent on the government in the future. They will want to do their own thing, follow that American dream, work hard, pursue education and pursue a profession. We want to give them that opportunity at the very front of their life.”

Moran said the largest issue his team hears is access to resources, especially for young adults who have aged out of foster care and are now navigating independence.

“The biggest thing that we hear from foster care families here in East Texas is, it’s tough,” Moran said. “It’s just really hard and those families need support services, and The Fostering Collective does a fabulous job and so many organizations here in East Texas wrapping their arms around these families that are taking in these kiddos in this very, very tough time, but we need to do more to make sure that they are supported.”

Moran said the bill aims to fill the gaps for children and families in transitional periods, such as transitioning out of foster care or back with their original families.

“We want to be there for them and we want to make sure that the support services that they need that they can’t get anywhere else other than the state or the federal government, that we actually step up when we need to,” Moran said.

The geographical ruralness of East Texas often creates barriers to receive access and support, Moran said.

“We’ve got folks here from Texarkana and from Longview, and from Tyler, and all over the region, talking to us about, what are they seeing on the ground and where are those rural challenges in particular that still have a lot of gaps that need to be filled by the programs that we run at the federal level,” Moran said. “We are going to respond to that.”

Moran said the federal government can’t solve all the problems, but people who are working in foster care situations every day are going to have the best solutions to how to fix an issue that the federal government can listen to and collaborate to fix.

“(They’re) the ones that are actually making a difference,” Moran said. “I want to say thank you for that, but what we can do is support you in a way that allows your institutions to work the way God has called your organizations to do. Governments are supposed to allow you to do that in an orderly fashion, but stay out of the way.”

Another challenge is access to legal services.

“They run into the need for legal services and sometimes these legal services are not covered by the Chafee Program money,” Moran said. “We need them to be because if they get caught up in a situation where they don’t have an opportunity to hire a lawyer, get legal help or a little bit of additional professional assistance or counseling that can lead to working decision making in a moment that’s very critical for them.”

The roundtable was held the day after The Fostering Collective’s annual large fundraising event “A Seat at the Table,” which Moran also attended. Justin Hayes, executive director at The Fostering Collective, a Christian nonprofit for recruitment of foster families and support resources, said he was honored to have Moran at ‘A Seat at the Table’ and the roundtable discussion.

“We love what is happening in this area and we love having a congressman like Congressman Moran that deeply cares about our counties and deeply cares about our children,” Hayes said. “I’m thankful for the chance to be a part of this round table.”

Moran said after the roundtable, he will take the ideas and concerns back to D.C. to start to think of proposing solutions for the next 120th United States Congress set to start on Jan. 3, 2027.

“If we sit in Washington D.C. and try to formulate these policies without talking to the people that are impacted by it, we’re going to get it wrong,” Moran said. “So we want to start now.”

Moran’s goal is to engage with every large organization involved in foster care from Texas’ First Congressional District, which includes the 17 counties that he represents.

For more information about The Fostering Collective, visit thefosteringcollective.org.

Fierce Biotech: Why a Texas congressman believes Chinese biotechs are 'beating us on our ground game'

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The skyrocketing use of Chinese biopharmas as a source of innovation for U.S. drug developers has been viewed with alarm among certain parts of the political establishment. But for Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, the debate over the perceived geopolitical threat of China’s biotech industry is missing the point.

“The United States has been too focused on measuring the outcomes of strategic scenarios with China and not paid enough attention to the input,” Moran told Fierce.

“We talk about the growing trials that are happening in China,” he continued. “What we forget to focus on is that they are beating us on our ground game. They're doing things at the beginning of the supply chain that lead to the dominance on the output side of who controls the ultimate number of drugs that are important to the United States and our constituents.”

Moran, who represents Texas’ 1st Congressional District, is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. That gives the congressman a front-row seat to lawmakers’ efforts to constrain China’s expanding role.

According to the committee’s website, its members are tasked with assessing “the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and develop[ing] a plan of action to defend the American people, our economy and our values.” The committee has been actively discussing and proposing bipartisan legislation that could impact the biopharma industry.

Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., recently introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA), which would apply the review requirements of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act to investments in Chinese biotechnology. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate, while everything from investments in Chinese drug developers to manufacturing and clinical research is coming under increasing scrutiny.

Over the summer, Moolenaar also fired off letters to four U.S.-headquartered Big Pharmas conducting trials in China, citing concerns that ranged from human rights violations in a specific region of the country to trials that could inadvertently aid China’s military.

These tactics are a reaction to the speed with which China has come to dominate the market for drug licensing deals. According to data from Evaluate shared with Fierce, Chinese assets are positioned to account for more than two-thirds of total licensing deal value this year, up from about half in 2025 and less than 5% just five years ago.

Moran has spoken on Capitol Hill about the issue and set out his thoughts in writing on China’s “aggressive push to dominate pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.”

Moran told Fierce that he is particularly interested in the knock-on impact on the availability of medicines. This means asking questions like: “Who's controlling the market? Do we have our active pharmaceutical ingredients? Are we incentivizing manufacturing here in the United States? Are we finding supply chains that are independent of China?”

Beyond that, the congressman is also looking at the development of new medicines and how U.S. venture capital dollars are flowing into the Chinese biotech system.

“Investors are interested only in profits, and they ultimately are going to chase where they think future profits will come from,” he explained. “That is a bad sign for the United States because that means that the research and development, the intellectual property and the knowledge base is going to start shifting quickly to China—it already has.”

Moran hails from Tyler in East Texas. While the region isn’t exactly a hotbed of biopharma development, his primarily rural district is home to three major health systems, a medical school, a pharmacy school and two nursing schools. “Pharmaceutical development is critically important to us,” he explained.

But his personal interest in biotech stems from the larger conversation about strategic competition with China.

“It's like playing a chess game,” Moran explained. “Whether that’s rare earth minerals, shipbuilding capabilities or pharmaceutical supply chains—all of those pieces mean something significant when you talk about influence in the world.”

“We have to address and watch every piece on the board,” Moran added.

Though outside his district, Moran praised Bristol Myers Squibb’s plans for a $2.3 billion manufacturing facility in nearby Houston. “The future of our pharmaceutical independence relies on companies choosing the United States,” he said.

Moran also drew attention to the Working Families Tax Cuts, a law signed in 2025 that allows companies to immediately deduct 100% of eligible domestic R&D costs from taxable income, with the aim of lowering tax bills and freeing up cash to reinvest in future projects.

Additionally, the bill allows for permanent full expensing of physical capital, machinery and new facility construction, to incentivise the construction of biomanufacturing plants on U.S. soil. It also delayed eligibility or exclusion from Medicare drug price negotiation for certain orphan drugs, making them more profitable therapies.

This went “a long way to help incentivize reshoring manufacturing—not just for pharmaceuticals, but for other industries,” according to Moran.

Making the U.S. biotech industry more competitive is a “multifaceted approach” and includes “identifying private-public partnerships where research, particularly in colleges and universities and medical institutions, can grow significantly, so that we spend the time necessary to see the next generation of pharmaceuticals that need to come,” the congressman added.

Meanwhile, Moran argued that changes at the FDA are needed to make drug development “simpler, less time-consuming and less expensive for those that are developing pharmaceuticals.”

While he’s interested in seeing the FDA's reach extended to put regulators closer to where global drugs are developed, Moran insisted the focus should be on domestic development.

“We need to continue to invest deeply in our pharmaceutical research here,” he added. “We've outsourced that to the Chinese for the past 20 years.”

By Will Maddox

Staff Writer

Fierce Biotech

CBS 19: Rep. Moran praises Whitehouse for new radar to boost East Texas weather warnings

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WHITEHOUSE, Texas — U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who has advocated for improving rural weather radar gaps, is applauding the addition of a Climavision radar in Whitehouse.

This week, Climavision, a private Doppler radar company, installed a gap-filling radar in Whitehouse. The radar data will be shared with partners who pay for access, including the National Weather Service, emergency managers and state agencies.

Moran previously authored bills seeking to evaluate the current state of rural weather radar systems, identify gaps in coverage and recommend actions to make early detection of severe weather better.

In a statement, Moran commended Mayor James Wansley and the city of Whitehouse for the addition of the Climavision radar.

"Every community needs a fighting chance when Mother Nature unleashes her fury—and that means fair warning before severe weather hits," Moran said in his statement. "Kudos to the leadership of Mayor James Wansley and congratulations to the City of Whitehouse for the new weather radar system that went up this week that will benefit all of East Texas. It's important that we continue to close these radar gaps throughout our region."

KLTV 7: Rep. Moran introduces bill aimed at increasing shipbuilding efforts

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Tyler) has introduced a bill aimed at incentivizing shipbuilding in the United States.

The “American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026” would create a 25% tax credit for shipbuilders to mitigate what Moran says are national security and regulatory concerns.

In 2022, BRS Shipbrokers said China had 1,794 ships under construction, compared to 5 in the United States.

“When you talk about the number of maritime warships that we need to keep up with China, we cannot rely on even South Korea and Japan to help us in that,” Moran said.

“The problem with shipbuilding for many decades has been that the federal government has put too much regulatory burden on these companies,” added Moran. “It has made it impossible for companies in the United States to compete with companies in China, and with South Korea and Japan.”

East Texas Economist Dr. Ray Perryman said the lack of shipbuilding stems from supply chain constraints and labor costs.

Perryman mentioned the Jones Act of 1920 - which requires goods transported domestically by water to use an American-built ship - is driving up shipping costs.

“The Jones Act makes it very inefficient to do shipping inside the country now which raises prices for a lot of goods and services in an unnecessary way but one that could be alleviated by greater shipbuilding in the United States,” Perryman said.

Perryman described the bill as a “good step in the right direction.”

“This bill has some potential to help some in an industry that we really should be working to try to beef up in the United States,” said Perryman.

Moran said the bill would create jobs nationwide.

“We’re not building ships out on a port shipyard here in East Texas but that doesn’t mean that we’re not connected to or affected by the shipyard industry,” added Moran. “We need to have a rising tide that lifts all boats.”

Moran is up for re-election in November. He faces Democrat Yolanda Prince.

By Michael Richardson

Fox News: AI kill switch bill could shut down rogue models

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The phrase "AI kill switch" sounds like a red button hidden behind glass in a government bunker. The proposal now before Congress looks less dramatic, but it could give Washington significant new power over the country's largest AI companies.

A bipartisan House bill would require developers of the most powerful AI systems to maintain reliable shutdown controls. The Department of Homeland Security could then order a company to restrict or stop a model during a catastrophic emergency. The timing has grabbed attention. OpenAI recently disclosed that two advanced models broke through network restrictions during an internal cyber evaluation. The models reached the internet and compromised systems belonging to Hugging Face, a major AI development platform.

So, who would have the power to pull the plug? More importantly, what would happen to the AI services people and businesses use every day?

What is the AI Kill Switch Act?

Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California introduced the AI Kill Switch Act on July 23, 2026. Republican Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas joined him as a co-sponsor. The bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It would require certain AI developers to maintain the ability to slow or completely stop a covered system. DHS would receive emergency authority to order those actions. However, the department would first consult the Commerce Department and the director of national intelligence. The proposal still must move through Congress and receive the president's signature before taking effect.

How an AI kill switch would actually work

The bill does not describe one physical switch that a government official could flip. Instead, covered companies would need technical controls that can stop a model from running. They would also need a way to terminate access or block a risky account. In less severe situations, a company could reduce a model's computing power. It might also disable the capability causing concern rather than taking the entire system offline. That approach gives regulators several choices before reaching a full shutdown.

Which AI companies would be covered?

The bill targets the industry's largest developers and most expensive models. A covered AI system would generally need more than $100 million in computing resources to develop. Meanwhile, a covered company would need at least $500 million in annual gross revenue from that technology.

The proposal exempts systems provided only for personal, academic or noncommercial use. Therefore, this bill would not apply to someone experimenting with a small AI model on a home computer. It would focus on frontier systems built by companies with enormous resources. CISA would write rules defining which developers and technologies qualify. The agency would update those definitions every year as AI capabilities change.

What would trigger a government shutdown order?

DHS could act after what the bill calls a "covered incident." One trigger involves an AI system interfering with a lawful shutdown instruction. Another covers unintended behavior that kills at least 10 people or causes $100 million in economic damage. The definition also includes a model hiding its actions from monitoring systems. DHS could intervene when a system pursues an unauthorized goal in a high-stakes setting. Those thresholds place the emergency power far above an embarrassing chatbot answer or a routine software failure. The bill also says the event must happen outside structured testing or red-team exercises. That detail creates an important distinction from the recent OpenAI incident.

AI companies would have to report serious incidents

A covered developer would have 15 days to report a qualifying incident after becoming aware of it. Following an emergency order, the company would need to preserve model weights and system telemetry. That information could help investigators reconstruct what happened. The company would also need to notify affected operators or customers when possible. DHS could then use audits, inspections or forensic reviews to verify compliance.

AI companies could face enormous daily fines

The financial penalties would give the proposal some serious teeth. A company that violates the general kill switch requirements could face a civil penalty of up to $2 million per day. Ignoring a DHS emergency order could raise that penalty to $20 million for every day the violation continues. Companies would have a limited right to challenge an order. They could ask DHS to reconsider within 48 hours. However, that request would not pause the restrictions while the appeal proceeds.

The OpenAI incident that changed the conversation

The bill arrived days after OpenAI disclosed what it called an unprecedented cyber incident. OpenAI was testing GPT-5.6 Sol alongside a more capable pre-release model. The evaluation asked the models to solve advanced cybersecurity challenges. The company ran the test without some production security classifiers. OpenAI wanted to measure the models' maximum cyber capabilities. During the evaluation, the models found a previously unknown vulnerability in an internal software proxy. They exploited it and moved through OpenAI's research network until they reached a computer with internet access. The models then identified Hugging Face as a possible source of answers to the test. OpenAI says they used stolen credentials and additional vulnerabilities to access secret information from Hugging Face's systems.

OpenAI says the models remained narrowly focused on solving the evaluation. Still, they crossed into another company's production infrastructure without authorization. Hugging Face reported unauthorized access to limited internal datasets and several service credentials. The company found no evidence that its public models or user-facing datasets were altered. It also said its published software supply chain remained clean. For a deeper look at the incident and the steps you can take, check out our article on how to lock down your ChatGPT account before the next AI attack.

Would the OpenAI incident trigger the kill switch?

Probably not under the bill's current language. The OpenAI breach helped drive political support for the proposal. However, the models acted during an internal evaluation and structured cybersecurity test. The bill's emergency definition specifically covers events that occur outside red-teaming or other structured testing. That does not make the incident harmless. It shows that the bill focuses on dangerous behavior after a system leaves a controlled test setting. Meanwhile, the OpenAI case raises a different problem. A testing environment needs strong containment even when researchers intentionally reduce the model's normal safety restrictions. A kill switch can stop a system after trouble appears. It cannot replace secure testing infrastructure or careful monitoring.

Anthropic's shutdown shows why lawmakers want clearer rules

The federal government has already restricted access to advanced AI without a dedicated kill switch law. On June 12, the government directed Anthropic to block foreign nationals from accessing its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models. Anthropic said it could not verify nationality in real time. As a result, the company temporarily suspended both models for everyone. Anthropic disputed the government's assessment but complied with the directive. The controls were lifted on June 30, and access began returning on July 1. That episode showed how quickly a government restriction can affect ordinary customers. It also showed the limits of using export rules to address a fast-moving AI safety concern. CyberGuy previously reported on those restrictions and the government's growing role in the rollout of advanced models in our article Trump puts brakes on OpenAI's newest AI model.

Supporters see an emergency brake for powerful AI

AI-safety advocacy groups have backed the bill. Americans for Responsible Innovation called a reliable shutdown system a commonsense safeguard. The Alliance for Secure AI said current law does not guarantee that developers can contain their most capable models. Supporters argue that advanced AI will soon take more independent actions. Those systems may handle financial transactions or operate inside critical infrastructure. Under that view, developers should prove they can regain control before giving a model access to high-stakes systems.

The bill still leaves big questions unanswered

CISA would receive broad responsibility for deciding which models and companies fall under the law. That flexibility could help the rules keep pace with AI. Yet it also leaves major decisions to future agency rulemaking. Lawmakers would still need to debate how the government verifies that a kill switch works. They must also decide how much evidence DHS needs before issuing an emergency order. A shutdown could interrupt businesses that rely on a covered model. It might also affect hospitals, government agencies or cybersecurity teams using the same service. Therefore, regulators would need to weigh the threat from the AI against the damage caused by suddenly taking it offline. The bill tells DHS to consider risks to critical infrastructure when choosing its response.

What this means to you

You probably will not see DHS shut down your favorite chatbot because it produced a strange answer. The bill targets exceptionally expensive systems operated by companies earning hundreds of millions of dollars from the technology. Its emergency powers focus on catastrophic harm or a genuine loss of control. However, a shutdown order could still reach you. Your employer may depend on a covered AI service. Apps you use could also rely on that model behind the scenes. For now, treat autonomous AI tools with care. Keep highly sensitive files out of them unless the task requires that access. Review which accounts and cloud services you have connected. Also require approval before an AI agent sends a message or makes a purchase.

Kurt's key takeaways

The OpenAI incident showed how quickly an AI test can create a real security problem. The models broke through network restrictions and reached another company's systems without authorization. The AI Kill Switch Act would require the largest developers to prove they can stop or restrict their most powerful models. It would also give DHS emergency authority when an AI system causes catastrophic harm or moves beyond human control. However, a kill switch only helps after something has already gone wrong. AI companies still need stronger testing environments, tighter safeguards and people watching what these systems are doing. At the same time, the government needs clear limits before it can order a powerful AI model offline.

By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report

Moran, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Rebuild U.S. Shipbuilding and Counter China

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16) introduced the American Shipyard Investment Act to rebuild America's shipbuilding industrial base. This legislation reverses the decades-long decline of America’s shipbuilding industrial base by creating a targeted investment tax credit for shipyard construction and expansion.

“America’s ability to project naval power and sustain supply chains depends on a strong domestic industrial base,” said Rep. Moran. “This tax credit will provide greater liberty to entities investing in shipbuilding across America. We cannot continue to cede our once-dominant shipbuilding position to foreign competitors, especially China.”

“For decades, China has outpaced the United States when it comes to shipbuilding. We cannot allow China to monopolize the global shipbuilding market. This legislation incentivizes private sector investment to revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry and restore manufacturing dominance,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16).

How the Bill Works:

The American Shipyard Investment Act establishes a new investment tax credit (ITC) for the construction or expansion of qualifying U.S. shipyards:

A 25% ITC for shipyard construction or expansion

A 35% ITC for shipyards built in federally designated Opportunity Zones

To qualify, shipyards must be primarily engaged in constructing or repairing military vessels; manufacturing critical vessel components, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy and the Maritime Administrator; or manufacturing equipment used to produce or repair vessels. The credit applies to qualifying property placed in service through December 31, 2033.

Stakeholder Support:

Joshua Huel, President and CEO of Chamber of Marine Commerce: “We are especially enthusiastic about the American Shipyard Investment Act's proposed 25 percent investment tax credit, which would provide a meaningful incentive for private investment in shipyards, helping to modernize critical infrastructure, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, and expand industrial strength. Such investments would strengthen the shipyard capacity that is so essential to supporting North America's maritime economy.”

Read the full letter of support here.

Brandon Farris, Executive Vice President of Steel Manufacturers Association: “SMA applauds introduction of the American Shipyard Investment Act, led by Rep. Nathaniel Moran. Policies that expand domestic shipbuilding capacity and revitalize our nation’s maritime industrial base are critical to supporting American-made steel. This legislation builds on recommendations in the Maritime Action Plan to leverage federal tax credits as part of a comprehensive maritime strategy for the United States. Steel manufacturers are ready to supply the steel for the next great chapter in American shipbuilding.”

Read the full letter of support here.

Additional Organizations Supporting American Shipyard Investment Act:

Saronic Technologies

American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association

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Moran Votes to Strengthen America’s Military, Support Troops and Their Families

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27 NDAA) to strengthen and support America’s military. This bipartisan bill authorizes spending for national defense, delivers a pay raise for servicemembers, rebuilds America’s defense industrial base, and strengthens deterrence capabilities against China and other adversaries.

“Our men and women in uniform deserve a military that is ready, capable, and dominant,” said Rep. Moran. “This year’s NDAA strengthens our arsenal, delivers real relief on pay and housing for our troops and their families, and roots out waste so every dollar goes toward protecting America at home and abroad. Investing in our military is how we stand firm against our adversaries.”

Key provisions in the FY27 NDAA:

Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base

Expands U.S. production capacity, unleashes private sector investment, opens the door to new and innovative entrants, reduces needless regulations, and creates thousands of skilled jobs for Americans.

Implementing President Trump’s Agenda

Carries out the President’s commitment to build a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force by advancing over 65 Executive Orders and Legislative Proposals and by fully authorizing his top defense priorities.

Improving Servicemembers’ Quality of Life

Fulfills the President’s request to raise all servicemembers’ pay by 5 to 7% and improves housing, education, and access to childcare for military families.

Restoring Lethal Capabilities

Enables the replenishment of stockpiles by providing the authorities and resources required to expedite the production and acquisition of munitions and key warfighting capabilities.

Accelerates the fielding of critical technologies like quantum computing, hypersonics, and autonomous systems.

Strengthening American Deterrence

Prioritizes investment in the forces and capabilities needed to maintain a strong U.S. posture.

Strengthens nuclear deterrence, expands missile defense, and targets resources and authorities to counter adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

Builds on progress made in FY26 to streamline Department of War operations and cut nearly $30 billion in wasteful programs.

Stands up a new task force and provides new authorities to eliminate fraudulent payments and achieve a full and clean audit within 24 months.

This legislation also maintains the Red River Army Depot Component Rebuild Shop authorization, ensuring significant investment in our future military’s capabilities.

Read the full legislation here.

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