Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said the Biden administration is naive to think China is willing to work together with the U.S. toward shared goals, as stated in the administration's recently released National Security Strategy.
“The continued naivete of the Biden administration threatens our national security. Our adversaries—especially China—have made abundantly clear they have no interest in cooperating on the ‘shared challenges’ that the National Security Strategy continually references,” Stefanik said in a statement provided to State Newswire. “The only way to ensure our national security is secured against China is to invest in credible deterrent capabilities and demonstrate peace through strength.”
The Biden administration issued its National Security Strategy on Wednesday, which includes a section on “out-competing China.” The report released by the White House calls for a three-pronged approach to meet the challenges posed by China: Investing in domestic innovation, aligning with allies and other partners with whom the U.S. shares common goals, and competing “responsibly” with China “to defend our interests and build our vision for the future.”
The White House report highlights China's intention to "reshape the international order" and notes that China has gained the military, economic and technological power necessary to do so, but also states that the U.S. and China could “coexist peacefully” and work together on issues such as climate change and "global public health."
Stefanik cosponsored the Countering Communist China Act, which recognizes China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the United States’ top national security threat and aims to counter China’s malign influence and theft of intellectual property, according to the bill text. One provision of the legislation would require the declassification of information related to the origin of COVID-19, determine whether China's role constitutes the use of a biological weapon and seek reimbursement from China for the funds the U.S. government used to mitigate the pandemic.
Another portion of the legislation would invest in supply chain security, especially as it relates to medical and pharmaceutical items and national security. The legislation also aims to protect American universities, laboratories and research institutions from CCP influence and theft, restricting foreign funding of educational institutions and limiting partnerships with the People's Republic of China, according to the bill text. The Countering Communist China Act would also place prohibitions on undermining the U.S.’s policy regarding Taiwan and seek to negotiate a free trade agreement with Taiwan. The legislation would address the genocide in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and impose sanctions on individuals participating in human rights abuses.
Rep. Jim Banks introduced the bill in July 2021 and has been joined by more than 50 Republican cosponsors, Bill Track 50 reported. The legislation was referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in September 2021.
Stefanik is serving her fourth term as New York’s 21st Congressional District representative, according to her website. The New York native worked at her family’s small business and served on former President George W. Bush's Domestic Policy Council Staff.
