S. 3291: Enhanced COVID-19 Transparency Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Enhanced COVID-19 Transparency Act of 2025, aims to increase transparency concerning the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic by requiring a declassification review of specific intelligence related to it. The primary requirements and processes of the bill can be summarized as follows:

Declassification Review Requirements

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law, the following actions must be taken:

• Joint Review by Intelligence Officials: The Director of National Intelligence and heads of various intelligence community entities must collaboratively conduct a declassification review of intelligence products related to COVID-19.
• Focus Areas: The review will focus on several key aspects:
  • Research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and other relevant research centers in China.
  • Information regarding Gain of Function research, particularly its objectives and implications.
  • Sources of funding for coronavirus research, including both domestic and relevant foreign funding sources.

Investigation of Disruptive Actions

The intelligence review must also assess actions by Chinese government officials aimed at obstructing information dissemination about the pandemic. This includes:

• Efforts to limit the sharing of relevant medical information with the United States and other countries.
• Strategies to inhibit knowledge transfer among different levels of government in China and between China and international researchers.
• Lobbying or pressuring efforts aimed at foreign governments, researchers, medical experts, or international organizations regarding COVID-19 information.
• Attempts to hinder research and development efforts related to medical countermeasures, such as vaccines.
• Promotion of alternative narratives about the origins of COVID-19 and the responses to it both within China and globally.

Public Disclosure of Declassified Information

Once the intelligence products are reviewed, the following will occur:

• Public Availability: Appropriately declassified intelligence findings will be made accessible to the public, with necessary redactions to protect sensitive information.
• Congressional Submission: An unredacted version of the declassified products must be submitted to congressional intelligence committees for their review.

Conclusion of the Bill's Objectives

The overall goal of the Enhanced COVID-19 Transparency Act of 2025 is to provide greater clarity around the origins and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by requiring that classified intelligence materials be reviewed and shared appropriately while assessing the actions of relevant foreign entities.

Relevant Companies

• PFE - Pfizer Inc.: Involved in COVID-19 vaccine development and public health response which may be affected by insights from declassified intelligence.
• MRNA - Moderna, Inc.: Another key player in vaccine development that could be influenced by findings related to research funding and origins.
• BNTX - BioNTech SE: Also involved in COVID-19 vaccine initiatives, may find relevant operations and funding topics brought into focus.