WASHINGTON – Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi today urging the DOJ to investigate efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to manipulate the energy and environmental policy of the United States.
In the letter, Congressman Gooden details how the PRC has funneled money through charitable entities and third-party organizations to manipulate American policy in favor of Chinese “green” technology. These organizations operate under the guise of environmental advocacy and receive PRC funding to push policies that weaken U.S. energy independence and strengthen China’s global leverage.
“The PRC’s covert interference in U.S. policymaking poses an existential threat to the America First Agenda,” said Congressman Gooden. “American energy policy should be determined by the American people — not by CCP front groups disguised as environmental activists,” Gooden added.
An excerpt from the letter:
“The PRC’s goal of infiltrating U.S. climate narratives has blurred the lines of advocacy and philanthropy by creating indirect financial support routed through third-party groups to mask their origin and avoid public scrutiny. In turn, lobbying efforts are steered to advance Chinese interests, such as promoting policies that increase U.S. dependence on Chinese green technology. These organizations advocate for aggressive transitions to “green” technology in sectors where China dominates, such as solar, wind, and EV technologies. For example, the CCP-tied organization, The Energy Foundation, quietly wired millions of dollars to fund climate initiatives and NGOs in the U.S. while heavily operating out of Beijing. One of these groups was the Rocky Mountain Institute, a think tank that frequently engaged with the Biden White House on various climate policy areas.
“Environmental groups like The Energy Foundation and the recipients of their grant money are directly empowering China to the detriment of U.S. national security. Financial influence is often indirect and opaque, and without enforcement, foreign-tied NGOs will continue to exploit their tax-exempt status and abuse disclosure laws to shape international climate policy.”
The letter comes in addition to Gooden's bill, the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which mandates that tax-exempt charitable organizations, including think tanks and nonprofits, publicly disclose contributions and gifts exceeding $10,000 from foreign governments and political parties. The bill places emphasis on funding from the PRC.
The letter, featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Examiner, is co-signed by Reps. Christopher Smith (NJ-04), Keith Self (TX-03), Ben Cline (VA-06), Mark Alford (MO-04), Mary Miller (IL-15), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), and Tom Tiffany (WI-07).
Read the full letter here.
In the letter, Congressman Gooden details how the PRC has funneled money through charitable entities and third-party organizations to manipulate American policy in favor of Chinese “green” technology. These organizations operate under the guise of environmental advocacy and receive PRC funding to push policies that weaken U.S. energy independence and strengthen China’s global leverage.
“The PRC’s covert interference in U.S. policymaking poses an existential threat to the America First Agenda,” said Congressman Gooden. “American energy policy should be determined by the American people — not by CCP front groups disguised as environmental activists,” Gooden added.
An excerpt from the letter:
“The PRC’s goal of infiltrating U.S. climate narratives has blurred the lines of advocacy and philanthropy by creating indirect financial support routed through third-party groups to mask their origin and avoid public scrutiny. In turn, lobbying efforts are steered to advance Chinese interests, such as promoting policies that increase U.S. dependence on Chinese green technology. These organizations advocate for aggressive transitions to “green” technology in sectors where China dominates, such as solar, wind, and EV technologies. For example, the CCP-tied organization, The Energy Foundation, quietly wired millions of dollars to fund climate initiatives and NGOs in the U.S. while heavily operating out of Beijing. One of these groups was the Rocky Mountain Institute, a think tank that frequently engaged with the Biden White House on various climate policy areas.
“Environmental groups like The Energy Foundation and the recipients of their grant money are directly empowering China to the detriment of U.S. national security. Financial influence is often indirect and opaque, and without enforcement, foreign-tied NGOs will continue to exploit their tax-exempt status and abuse disclosure laws to shape international climate policy.”
The letter comes in addition to Gooden's bill, the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which mandates that tax-exempt charitable organizations, including think tanks and nonprofits, publicly disclose contributions and gifts exceeding $10,000 from foreign governments and political parties. The bill places emphasis on funding from the PRC.
The letter, featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Examiner, is co-signed by Reps. Christopher Smith (NJ-04), Keith Self (TX-03), Ben Cline (VA-06), Mark Alford (MO-04), Mary Miller (IL-15), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), and Tom Tiffany (WI-07).
Read the full letter here.