FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Homeland Security Republicans Take Action to Counter Chinese Communist Party's Malign Influence in the U.S.
Washington, DC — Following a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence to examine the numerous threats the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) poses to the U.S. homeland, Republicans on the House Committee on Homeland Security are already taking action to counter the CCP’s malign influence in the U.S. and protect American innovation and national security intelligence.
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) reintroduced the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from providing taxpayer funds to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or are affiliated with a Chinese entity of concern.
Committee on Homeland Security Vice Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) reintroduced the Unmanned Aerial Security (UAS) Act to prohibit DHS from providing financial assistance for, entering into, or renewing a contract for any drones manufactured in Communist China or other adversarial nations.
“As the world witnessed last month with China’s encroachment into American airspace, the Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to test this administration, steal American intelligence, and achieve global dominance,” said Chairman Mark Green. “This Committee is taking direct action to combat the CCP’s brazen espionage efforts targeting our institutions of higher education and its dangerous intellectual property theft of American innovation. The United States cannot stand idly by as our adversaries in Beijing continue to threaten the U.S. homeland.”
“The House Homeland Security Committee is taking the threat China poses to our Nation extremely seriously,” said Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger. “In addition to surveillance through our skies, ports, and in our cell phones, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is infiltrating American university campuses with “Confucius Institutes” which allow the party to engage in espionage, steal our intellectual property, intimidate Chinese dissidents, promote communist propaganda, and funnel information back to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Under no circumstances should American taxpayer dollars be used to enrich the CCP or the PLA. Congress must ensure taxpayer dollars are cut off from these programs for good.”
“We know that drones made by our adversaries can be manipulated to undermine American security – a security risk that we cannot tolerate as the Chinese Communist Party presents a continuous threat against our nation and our allies,” said Vice Chairman Guest. “The Department of Homeland Security utilizes drones for critical missions, and it is imperative that we trust the technology we are using. It is well known that the Chinese Communist Party has stolen our technology and information in the past. That’s why this legislation is so important. It would help mitigate security risks by ensuring drones used by the Department of Homeland Security are not manufactured by our adversaries – including those manufacturers influenced by the CCP.”
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