SENATE PASSES MEASURE TO STOP FUNDING CCP BIOTECH COMPANIES

On October 9, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan measure introduced by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) to cut off taxpayer funding to specific Chinese biotech companies that were deemed to pose national security risks. The Biosecure Act will prevent federal agencies from contracting with these companies, as well as cut federal contracts with U.S. companies that use their equipment and services. 

The potential effects of this measure are massive, as major drugmakers heavily rely on Chinese firms for testing, ingredients, and other services. As Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) points out, “We must ensure that the Chinese Communist Party’s malign biotechnology activities are not funded or enabled by the U.S. Government.” 

This bipartisan push for the Biosecure Act demonstrates the threat that China poses to the health, safety, and security of individuals and communities across the country. Strengthening our defenses against CCP threats at home is an issue that has strong bipartisan support in Congress and among Americans. CUSP applauds the decisive action taken by Congress to counter CCP threats and defend American security. Measures like this are vital to protecting the health and safety of communities across the country.