FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
March 19, 2024
Cotton, Banks Introduce the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act
Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act, legislation that would sanction any individual or group that conducts political warfare on behalf of a foreign government against the United States. The legislation also requires the Secretary of State to determine if the United Front Work Department (UFWD)—an overseas influence arm of the Chinese Communist Party—qualifies for sanctions. Representative Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced companion legislation in the House.
“The Chinese Communist Party has proven that it will spread disinformation and lie any way it can—from the oppression of Uyghurs, to the origins of COVID-19, to it accessing the data of Americans who use TikTok. Any person or group who spread the Chinese Communists’ propaganda, like UFWD, should face sanctions,” said Senator Cotton.
“The United Front Work Department has targeted our universities, state and local lawmakers, business associations and even Congress. This bill gives America the necessary tools to strike back against malign Communist Party influence on US soil,” said Congressman Banks.
Text of the bill may be found here.
The Countering Chinese Political Warfare would:
Background:
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