Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I offer this motion today to restore funding levels for a bipartisan priority to counter China. The amendment adds $102 million to restore funding for the Countering Chinese Influence Fund to the current fiscal year level of $300 million. We can all agree that the Chinese Communist Party is actively working against U.S. interests all over the globe--from space technology to deceptive trading practices, to their outsized influence in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. The threat from China is real and immediate, and now is not the time to retreat in our efforts to stop their destructive actions. The Countering Chinese Influence Fund was established last year to address the growing reality that Beijing has a foothold in areas of critical importance, including in our own backyard. China is now the largest investor in Latin America, practicing the same type of corrupt and predatory financing it uses elsewhere around the world. The commander of the U.S. Southern Command testified this year that some of China's investments in the region could enable the Chinese military to threaten sea lanes vital to global commerce and the movement of U.S. Forces. He also expressed concern about Chinese telecommunications investments and how they could be detrimental to our security. We must directly address Chinese actions in order to protect our national security and maintain U.S. leadership throughout the world.…”