Freshman GOP lawmaker targets ‘propaganda’ from top adversary in first bill of congressional career
Freshman GOP Congressman Abe Hamadeh has taken a strong stance against the Chinese communist government’s influence in Congress by introducing his first piece of legislation aimed at combatting this issue. The bill, introduced by Hamadeh, would prohibit China Daily and other CCP-backed publications from being distributed in House facilities.
Hamadeh explained that his motivation for introducing this bill came from his first day in office when he discovered copies of The China Daily on his desk among other newspapers. After researching, he found that The China Daily is a Chinese communist-owned newspaper that operates as a registered foreign agent. He expressed his concern about foreign propaganda being freely circulated in the halls of Congress using taxpayer resources.
The proposed legislation would task the Chief Administrative Officer of the House with ceasing the distribution of CCP state-run media materials and restricting their spread via House email. However, members would still have the option to access these materials privately if they choose to do so. Hamadeh emphasized that the Chinese government aims to influence members of Congress and their staff through these publications, conducting information warfare and psychological operations.
Criticism of China Daily is not new, with prominent figures like former Senator Marco Rubio denouncing the newspaper for amplifying the goals and ambitions of the CCP. Rubio has called on mainstream media CEOs to sever ties with China Daily, highlighting its efforts to subvert U.S. news media. The outlet has also faced backlash for disputing reports on the persecution of Xinjiang Uyghurs as an \”outright lie.\”
Hamadeh is seeking bipartisan support for his bill to remove foreign propaganda from Congress. He highlighted the contradiction of allowing China Daily while the Biden administration removed The New York Post from the White House. The congressman stressed the importance of addressing the threat posed by communist China, citing the relocation of Taiwanese companies to his district as evidence of the shift away from China’s influence.
In conclusion, Hamadeh emphasized the need for common-sense measures to protect American interests, such as banning Chinese ownership of farmlands and land near key assets like military bases. He expressed confidence that his bill should garner support given the gravity of the issue at hand. As the debate over foreign influence intensifies, Hamadeh’s legislation represents a proactive step towards safeguarding the integrity of Congress.
