In a bold move to counter China’s growing influence, the US House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive funding bill that imposes stringent security restrictions targeting Beijing. This landmark legislation ramps up export controls, enforces trade compliance, bans unsecured government tech purchases, and curtails collaboration in critical sectors like science and space.
The bill allocates substantial resources to bolster export control enforcement, providing an extra $44 million to the Bureau of Industry and Security, bringing its total funding to $235 million. This infusion aims to prevent sensitive American technologies from falling into Chinese hands amid escalating strategic rivalry.
Trade protections are a cornerstone, with $16.4 million dedicated to anti-dumping and countervailing duty enforcement against China. Supporters argue this shields US workers and manufacturers from unfair trade practices that have long undermined domestic industries.
Government agencies face new mandates on technology procurement. Entities like the Commerce Department, Justice Department, NASA, and National Science Foundation cannot acquire new IT systems without thorough supply chain and cybersecurity risk assessments, with special scrutiny on foreign adversaries including China.
Bilateral cooperation takes a hit as well. NASA and the Office of Science and Technology Policy are barred from partnering with China or Chinese-owned firms without explicit congressional approval. Official travel to China by government personnel now requires quarterly reporting to Congress, detailing purposes and participants.
Energy and nuclear security provisions add further teeth. Sales of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the Chinese Communist Party are prohibited, access to US nuclear weapons production facilities is denied to Chinese and Russian nationals, and the Energy Department cannot provide financial aid to foreign entities posing risks.
This funding package extends to Commerce, Justice, Interior departments, NASA, Army Corps of Engineers, and EPA. House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition with China Chairman John Moolenaar hailed it as a ‘major step’ to enforce export controls, combat Chinese trade malpractices, and safeguard taxpayer dollars, technology, and energy resources.
As US-China tensions simmer, this bill signals a resolute shift toward decoupling in high-stakes domains, prioritizing national security over open engagement. Lawmakers emphasize reducing dependencies to fortify America’s position in the global arena.