Senator Rick Scott (R-Fl) introduced a bill this week that would reveal the amount of US Federal funds that are being invested into China every year.
Each fiscal year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submits a report to Congress outlining the White House’s yearly budget for executing its different policy initiatives.
If Senator Scott’s bill passes, the OMB’s report would include federal funds directly or indirectly invested or made available to Chinese entities or individuals.
According to the US Government Accountability Office, the U.S. provided at least $48 million to Chinese research institutions from 2017 to 2021. USAID reported an additional $10 million in economic support from the US to China in 2023.
Representative Mark Green, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, reintroduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Scott justified his proposal by suggesting China has been manipulating US federal funds to counter American economic interests.
“When it comes to countries that are our enemies, like Communist China, there needs to be complete transparency and oversight with ANY resources going their way,” stated Scott.
When it comes to Communist China, there needs to be complete transparency & oversight with ANY resources going their way – especially your tax dollars.
Read the latest on my bill to increase transparency on all federal money spent on the CCP ⬇️https://t.co/KPOCd3dVPu
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 11, 2024
Scott has been one of the most notable public critics of China’s government and ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Recently, Scott introduced a bipartisan resolution criticizing the CCP’s attempts to influence Taiwan’s upcoming elections.
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), held its first presidential election in 1996 and has successfully executed numerous democratic transitions of power since then.
“The Senate commends Taiwan for the example it has set for self-governance, not just for the Pacific region, but for the world,” reads the resolution.
Taiwan’s next presidential election will be held this Saturday, January 13th.
The US and its allies have expressed concern at potential CCP intervention in the Taiwanese elections.
The US is “committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense and the liberty of its people through effective deterrence using all elements of United States power,” warn the resolution’s authors.
