Scott Reintroduces Bill to Protect American Data from Communist China

Senator Rick Scott has reintroduced the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act, a bill that aims to solidify President Trump’s CCP Initiative under the Department of Justice (DOJ) to "prevent spying from the Chinese Communist Party on U.S. intellectual property and academic institutions."

This program looks to protect America’s best interests by fighting back against the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) attempts to take U.S. data, intellectual property, and trade secrets as well as protect the United States' "critical infrastructure and supply chains from foreign investments."

According to Sen. Scott, the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act would accomplish the following for against China:

• CCP Initiative: Establishes the CCP Initiative within the DOJ’s National Security Division to counter national security threats to American interests.
• Enforcement:
  • Targets trade secret theft, economic espionage, and cyberattacks by CCP-affiliated entities, including Chinese companies engaged in unfair competition with U.S. businesses, while investigating their investments in the U.S.
  • Strengthens the enforcement of the CFIUS regulations, particularly those related to Chinese investments, by collaborating with the DOT to implement amendments from the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act.
• Coordination with Federal Agencies: Mandates collaboration between the DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other federal agencies to ensure coordinated efforts to safeguard American infrastructure from foreign threats, particularly in technology and supply chains.
• Resources and Independence: Ensures independent operation with dedicated resources, distinct from other national security programs within the DOJ, allowing for specialized attention on CCP-related threats.

Sen. Scott shared that this move to reinstate President Donald Trump's (R) policies on China protects American national security and reverses former President Joe Biden's (D) "blind-eye" leadership on the issue.

“The Chinese Communist Party is one of the greatest threats to America’s national security and way of life as it seeks global domination by any means necessary," said Sen. Scott. "President Joe Biden recklessly ended the China Initiative that President Trump established during his first term, turning a blind eye as Communist China committed at least 60 known cases of espionage on the United States and our citizens during his administration."

The former Florida governor continued by saying that this bill will codify President Trump's intentions to hold China accountable for its hostilities against the United States.

"Now, President Trump is back in action to hold Communist China fully accountable for its exploitation of the United States. Our bill, the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act, will bring back the successful CCP Initiative to help President Trump face this threat head-on and Make America Safe Again," concluded Scott.