After concluding their summer recess, the U.S. Congress is set to reconvene next week, with expectations that lawmakers from both parties will vigorously push forward a series of legislation targeting China (the CCP), and deal with the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as well as annual authorization bills before the end of the year.
According to an article published by the Quincy Institute on Tuesday, various anti-CCP bills are expected to make progress in September.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated during a speech at the Hudson Institute in July that core countries led by China (the CCP) are threatening the U.S.-led world order in various ways.
Johnson mentioned that before the end of this congressional term, efforts will be made to pass a series of legislation targeting the CCP, including sanctions on Chinese military companies assisting Russia and Iran, restrictions on investment in China, and addressing issues related to the CCP’s abuse of U.S. trade regulations.
Reports indicate that among these bills is the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024” proposed by Republican Rep. Carol Miller, which specifies that tax incentives for clean vehicles will only be available to companies using domestically produced batteries in electric cars.
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley expressed confidence in June that Ford can be profitable in producing electric vehicles in the U.S. as the U.S. government is “developing various policies” to support Ford in fair competition with low-cost Chinese rivals.
Moreover, Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced the “Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act” on August 30, which aims to restrict foreign nationals from purchasing farmland in the U.S.
Newhouse is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, whose task is to seek bipartisan solutions to the threats posed by the CCP and develop action plans to defend the American people, economy, and values.
A report from political media outlet Punchbowl News on Monday highlighted the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act” proposed by Republican Rep. August Pfluger from Texas, which seeks to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from providing funds to universities funded by the Chinese government.
Another bill drafted by Republican Rep. Lance Gooden from Texas, the “Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024,” proposes establishing a department within the Department of Justice specifically dedicated to Chinese (CCP) affairs.
House Speaker Johnson emphasized that House Republicans are motivated to introduce this China-focused legislation before the end of the year.
According to a report by Politico in August, congressional staffers indicated that these bills may be voted on in September.
The NDAA for 2025 was passed in the House of Representatives in June, with the House version allocating $200 million for Taiwan’s international security cooperation programs and defense services. It is reported that the National Defense Authorization Act is likely to be passed before the end of the year, though it may currently be replaced by a temporary funding measure.