Republicans looking for new ways to force through China crackdowns left out of yearly defense bill

Republicans are working diligently to ensure that key legislative priorities related to cracking down on China are signed into law before the end of the year. While these priorities did not make it into the yearly defense bill, efforts are underway to include them in other must-pass legislation.

The House is set to vote on the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines policy plans for the Pentagon’s budget. Despite the bipartisan support the NDAA typically receives, provisions aimed at curbing U.S. investments in Chinese Communist Party-affiliated companies were left out. House Speaker Mike Johnson has made these provisions a top priority, and Republicans are determined to see them included in other legislation.

With a looming government funding deadline, there is a possibility that these measures could be added to a continuing resolution (CR) to extend the deadline and maintain budgets at FY 2024 levels. Johnson emphasized the importance of countering China and strengthening economic security, expressing a need for more time to finalize these crucial provisions.

One key provision that was omitted from the NDAA would prevent U.S. investments in the development of military technologies, aligning with a rule proposed by President Biden’s Treasury Department. This rule aims to restrict U.S. financing of certain China-based ventures and enhance monitoring of investments in technologies with dual-use capabilities.

Democrats, however, raised objections to including certain provisions in the NDAA, such as a ban on military health care providers funding transgender operations for dependent minors if it could lead to sterility. The Biosecure Act, which prohibits the U.S. government from contracting with companies doing business with biotechnology companies of concern, was also excluded from the bill due to opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

Efforts to attach the China outbound investment provision and the Biosecure Act to must-pass legislation are underway to ensure their passage. This strategy would prevent the legislation from stalling in the Democratic-led Senate, where House GOP-led bills often face challenges.

In conclusion, Republicans are working tirelessly to advance legislation aimed at countering China’s influence and safeguarding national security interests. By exploring alternative avenues to include these key provisions in other legislative measures, they are determined to see these priorities become law before the year’s end.