Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8333, the BIOSECURE Act which is critical legislation to prohibit federal contracts with biotechnology companies connected to foreign nations of concern to protect the U.S. national security, economic security and privacy. Companies with ties to foreign adversaries, in particular the People's Republic of China, pose threats to the privacy and security of Americans. Under PRC law, any entity owned by or affiliated with Chinese companies could be compelled by the Chinese government to provide data on Americans. The legislation addresses concerns about foreign nations' access to sensitive data on Americans by prohibiting federal contracts with biotechnology providers connected to foreign adversaries such as BGI, a PRC-affiliated company, its subsidiary MGI Americas, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Biologics. The legislation prevents funding from federal agencies to be spent on equipment or services provided by biotechnology companies of concern, including (1) entities subject to the jurisdiction, direction, control, or operated on behalf of the government of a foreign adversary, (2) entities involved in the manufacturing, distribution, provision, or procurement of a biotechnology equipment or service, and (3) entities which pose a risk to U.S. national security based on specified activities.…”