This week, Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and their colleagues reintroduced legislation that would prohibit U.S. funding and collaboration from being unwittingly used to aid in the development of military technologies that could be used against U.S. service members. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) national strategy of Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) aims to mobilize civilian resources and knowledge in academic institutions abroad, as well as state-owned enterprises and the private sector, to transform the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the most technologically advanced military worldwide, threatening our own military. This legislation is aimed at countering the threat of MCF.

Senator Rick Scott said, “For years, I have been warning of the threat from Communist China, which continues to steal U.S. technology and intellectual property in its quest for world domination. The CCP will do whatever it takes, including targeting American universities, to gain a military advantage over the United States. To protect our national security, this bill is essential, and I proudly stand with my colleagues as we work to get it passed.”

Read more from Senator Rubio’s office below.

RUBIO, COLLEAGUES REINTRODUCE BILL TO COUNTER THREAT OF CHINA’S MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) national strategy of Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) aims to mobilize civilian resources and knowledge in academic institutions abroad, as well as state-owned enterprises and the private sector, to transform the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the most technologically advanced military worldwide, threatening our own military.  

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Rick Scott (R-FL) reintroduced legislation that would prohibit U.S. funding and collaboration from being unwittingly used to aid in the development of military technologies that could be used against U.S. service members. The Senators originally introduced the bill on May 5, 2022.   

• “The menace posed by the CCP remains a significant challenge which we must confront. At a time when China’s genocidal regime is actively working to advance its global ambitions and military development, we must target and impose barriers to commercial cooperation with Chinese entities of concern.” – Senator Rubio

• “The Chinese Communist Party cannot continue to steal technology from America for use in their Military-Civil Fusion strategy,” Blackburn said. “The United States’ innovative spirit keeps our military advanced. This bill would stop the CCP in their tracks by securing that spirit.” – Senator Blackburn

• “For years, I have been warning of the threat from Communist China, which continues to steal U.S. technology and intellectual property in its quest for world domination. The CCP will do whatever it takes, including targeting American universities, to gain a military advantage over the United States. To protect our national security, this bill is essential, and I proudly stand with my colleagues as we work to get it passed.” – Senator Scott

U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) will introduce companion legislation in the House.

• “As China’s aggression toward the US continues to grow, we cannot allow US funding and innovation to help advance China’s military. This is a commonsense measure that protects America’s interest, resources, and servicemembers.” – Congressman Banks

Specifically, the bill would:

• Prohibit any U.S. “covered entity” from engaging with any Chinese “entity of concern” in any scientific research or technical exchange that has a direct bearing on, or the potential for dual use in, the development of technologies that the CCP has identified as a priority of its MCF national strategy. 

• Prevent partnerships or joint ventures between U.S. private companies that receive federal financial assistance and Chinese entities of concern.

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