Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act

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Cotton, Banks introduce the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act

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Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act, legislation that would sanction any individual or group that conducts political warfare on behalf of a foreign government against the United States. The legislation also requires the Secretary of State to determine if the United Front Work Department (UFWD)—an overseas influence arm of the Chinese Communist Party—qualifies for sanctions. Representative Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“The Chinese Communist Party has proven that it will spread disinformation and lie any way it can—from the oppression of Uyghurs, to the origins of COVID-19, to it accessing the data of Americans who use TikTok. Any person or group who spread the Chinese Communists’ propaganda, like UFWD, should face sanctions,” said Senator Cotton. 

“The United Front Work Department has targeted our universities, state and local lawmakers, business associations and even Congress. This bill gives America the necessary tools to strike back against malign Communist Party influence on US soil,” said Congressman Banks.

Text of the bill may be found here. 

The Countering Chinese Political Warfare would:

  • Create a new sanctions authority against state backed political warfare networks.

  • Require the Secretary of State to examine whether or not the United Front Work Department meets the criteria to be sanctioned under this new authority. 

Background:

  • On December 2, 2020 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took the historic step of imposing visa sanctions on individuals active in the UFWD.  

  • Chairman Xi has described the United Front as a “magic weapon” that will help bring about “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 

  • The United Front has led aggressive campaigns of subversion and espionage on U.S. college campuses through the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and Chinese-language centers called Confucius Institutes. The United Front has also funded a number of think tanks in Washington D.C., and co-opted business leaders to squash criticism of China. Despite this information, there are currently over a hundred United Front organizations that openly operate in the United States.