Washington, May 22: Two U.S. lawmakers, one Republican and one Democrat, have introduced a new proposal aimed at evaluating the availability of skilled professionals in the biotechnology sector. This initiative comes as the U.S. seeks to strengthen its competitive edge against China in critical future technologies.
Indian-American lawmaker Ro Khanna and Representative Rich McCormick jointly presented the ‘Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act’ on Thursday. The bill’s goal is to determine whether the U.S. government has enough qualified personnel to rapidly advance the biotechnology sector.
Under this legislation, the Office of Personnel Management and the Budget Department will collaborate with other government agencies to define what constitutes ‘bio-literate’ employees—those who understand biology and biotechnology—and assess the current and future workforce needs.
According to the lawmakers, a report will be generated and submitted to Congress. This report will aid in developing recruitment and training policies related to biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
This move comes at a time when concerns are rising in Washington about the U.S. potentially falling behind China in vital areas such as biotechnology, AI, and quantum technology.
The proposal follows a report from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) released in April 2025, which emphasized the necessity of a well-trained biotech workforce for the U.S. to remain at the forefront of these emerging technologies.
This bill is part of a larger package that includes McCormick’s ‘Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act.’ Its aim is to identify workforce shortages and align government research priorities with industry needs.
Khanna stated that investing in America’s biotech workforce will bolster the nation’s economic and scientific leadership. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the U.S. stays ahead of China in biotechnology, whether in research, innovation, or entrepreneurship.
McCormick described the initiative as a matter of economic and national security. He noted that while the U.S. currently leads the world in biotechnology, it is crucial to maintain that position.
He pointed out that the government is making significant investments in biotech research and manufacturing, but the lack of the right talent is hindering full potential utilization.
According to him, this legislation will address that gap and provide clarity on where improvements are needed, ensuring that the U.S. continues to lead globally.
The lawmakers also clarified that the biotechnology workforce extends beyond laboratory scientists. NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli referred to it as a “critical asset for national security,” stating that this law will help the U.S. maintain its leadership in scientific innovation, AI-based research, and advanced bio-manufacturing.
He added that the sector includes not only life scientists but also industrial technicians, mechanics, pipefitters, and other skilled workers essential for driving the future biotechnology industry.
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