House Republicans Planning Oversight of US-China Tech Policy in Next Congress

Technology competition with China, including U.S. foreign direct investment reviews, will be part of the oversight priorities of the Republican-controlled House during the next Congress, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said last week.

In a memo outlining the priorities, McCarthy said the House will create a China Select Committee to provide policy recommendations for how the U.S. can “win the economic and technological competition” with China and investigate its “deceptive trade practices,” “pursuit of advanced technologies at the expense of U.S. intellectual property” and efforts to exploit U.S. investment to “power the [Chinese Communist Party] national security state.” This will include oversight of the Biden administration’s “ongoing negotiations” with TikTok through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., McCarthy said (see 2211230033).

McCarthy was critical of Democrats’ overnight work during their time in control of the House, saying they “have not lifted a finger to engage in oversight and accountability of the Biden administration’s actions and abuses of power.” At least one new House oversight effort will include a 90-day review of the Bureau of Industry and Security and its export control procedures, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in October (see 2210030068). “And with gavels and subpoena authority in the upcoming Congress,” McCarthy said, “we will use interviews, subpoenas, depositions, and hearings to expose the truth.”