Murphy Sole Democrat to Vote Against COMPETES Act

Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) was the sole Democrat to vote against the COMPETES Act, a measure House Democrats say will make the U.S. more competitive globally by bolstering supply chains and punishing China.

“While I support the goals and many elements of the America COMPETES Act—especially its effort to manufacture more computer chips here in America—I, unfortunately, cannot support the bill in its current form,” stated Rep. Murphy. The trade section of the bill includes problematic, poorly-vetted provisions and excludes sensible, bipartisan provisions that were part of the Senate-passed version of the bill. The House bill does more to limit trade than to enhance trade, even though expanded trade helps far more American workers than it hurts, reduces the prices that American consumers pay for goods and services, and is a powerful weapon in our strategic competition with China.”

Rep. Murphy’s remarks echo what many Republican legislatures have been saying about the measure.

Rep. Diaz-Balart told The Floridian that this bill “Strengthens China” and not the U.S,  and weakens the U.S. because of the Green New Deal provisions within the bill.

Not only does it not strengthen the United States, it actually strengthens China which to me is illogical and grossly irresponsible,” said Rep. Diaz-Balart. They’ve loaded it up with Green New Deal aspects.

“This is America’s hope to deal with China,” question Rep. Brian Mast.

In an interview with The Floridian, Rep. Mast believes that Chinese satellites are fair targets if it is proven that they are used against U.S. interests.

“If I’ m being attacked by a knife, then I’m going to try to take out that knife or anything else they are attacking me with,” said Rep. Mast. If China, the Communist Party of China— their government— is attacking us through their satellites, then we need to take out those satellites. If they are attacking us through this apparatus of infrastructure, then we need to take out that apparatus of infrastructure.”

Outside of Rep. Murphy’s vote, the COMPETES Act passed along party lines by a vote count of 222-21.

Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who like Murphy, is not running for re-election to Congress, tweeted his support for the measure.

"I worked hard to put Florida first in the #COMPETESAct – including $22 million to investigate the #Surfside tower collapse, big investments in solar energy, and even protections for Florida’s iconic manatee! America’s future starts with Florida," stated Rep. Crist.

The measure now goes into conference with the Senate. The Senate has already passed a similar bipartisan bill, where 18 Republican Senators voted in favor of it.