Staff Reports
In a bipartisan move, the U.S. Senate has made it clear that federal funding meant for military construction and various government agencies should not benefit China. The Senate voted 61-36 in favor of an amendment to the spending package for these agencies, which would block the use of appropriated funds to provide any financial benefit to Chinese entities or their subsidiaries. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the sponsor of the amendment, expressed his belief that taxpayer dollars should go to Americans, American companies, and U.S. allies rather than China.
He emphasized that the amendment is simple and straightforward: no American taxpayer dollars should go to the People’s Republic of China. While most senators agreed with this sentiment, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) raised concerns about potential unintended consequences that could hinder the agencies’ ability to carry out their duties. She cited examples such as the difficulties the Department of Veterans Affairs could face in obtaining pharmaceuticals or medical devices and the challenges school lunch programs might encounter in procuring meat owned by Chinese companies. Sen. Hawley countered by questioning whether it’s wise to be dependent on China for school lunches or pharmaceuticals.
Senate Says No to Allowing Federal Funds to Benefit China
The amendment prevents appropriations from being used to provide “any financial benefit” to Chinese entities.https://t.co/WaknznV5Oc
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) November 1, 2023
This amendment reflects the growing tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding Taiwan’s independence and the war in Ukraine. Efforts to restrict China’s influence in the food supply have been seen both at the state level, such as Arkansas ordering a seed producer owned by a Chinese Communist Party-owned company to sell off its farmland, and at the federal level, such as a ban on China purchasing U.S. farmland. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has also stressed the importance of not allowing Chinese investment that harms national security. Overall, the Senate’s amendment reflects a desire to stay vigilant and limit Chinese influence at a time when tensions between the two countries are high.
