WASHINGTON – Today, the House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation from Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) to combat Chinese Communist Party (CCP) espionage and intellectual property (IP) theft. The bicameralProtect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Actpassed out of committee by a vote of 14–9, clearing the way for a full House vote.
“The CCP is waging economic warfare by spying on and stealing American innovation. This bill puts an end to their years of theft and espionage and defends the businesses that power our economy,” said Rep. Gooden.
The bill, which passed the House last Congress with bipartisan support, establishes the CCP Initiative within the Department of Justice to aggressively counter CCP threats to American businesses, universities, and national security.
Key provisions of the bill:
Creating a CCP Initiative that counters CCP-backed economic espionage and IP theft
Strengthening interagency coordination between the DOJ, FBI, and national security agencies
Reporting to Congress about the threat from CCP-backed efforts to Americans and U.S. businesses
Background:
The first Trump administration’s “China Initiative” specifically addressed the espionage threat from the CCP but was eliminated in 2022 by the Biden-Harris administration despite its success.
Academics and researchers in U.S. universities are targeted or recruited by the CCP to siphon information back to China, especially in STEM fields.
IP theft from China costs the United States between $250-$600 billion per year.
IP theft reduces GDP growth, discourages research and development investment, and narrows American competitiveness in key industries.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is the Senate sponsor of the bill.