The U.S. House of Representatives is set to focus on countering China's influence and power through various sectors such as biotech companies, drones, and electric vehicles as lawmakers return from their summer break. The legislation being considered aims to ensure U.S. competitiveness in the face of China's growing global presence. With bipartisan support, many bills scheduled for a vote this week underscore the consensus that congressional action is necessary to address the challenge posed by China.
One of the key bills aims to restrict U.S. reliance on Chinese biotech companies by banning specific entities with Chinese ties from collaborating with recipients of federal funding. This move is intended to safeguard U.S. healthcare data and reduce dependency on China for medical supplies and services.
Another bill targets Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, labeling its products as a national security risk and proposing to exclude them from U.S. communication networks due to data security concerns. The legislation seeks to protect American data and critical infrastructure from potential threats.
Efforts are also underway to revive a program aimed at combating Chinese intellectual property theft and espionage. The proposed bill would empower the Justice Department to address spying activities by Beijing on U.S. intellectual property and academic institutions, with a focus on preventing trade secret theft and economic espionage.
Furthermore, a bill concerning the sale of U.S. farmland to foreign entities has raised concerns about discrimination. The legislation seeks to safeguard national food security by adding the agriculture secretary to the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment and requiring reporting of land sales involving citizens from specific countries.
These legislative measures, if passed by the House, will still need approval from the Senate. The bills reflect a concerted effort to address the multifaceted challenges posed by China and underscore the bipartisan commitment to safeguarding U.S. interests in the face of growing geopolitical competition.
