Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 1398 - Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House)
(Rep. Gooden, R-TX, and eight cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1398, the "Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024," which would establish within the Department of Justice (DOJ) "the CCP Initiative," an entity similar to the "China Initiative" that the Department disbanded based on serious national security concerns in 2022. The Administration is committed to winning the economic competition of the 21st century against China by making historic investments in American innovation, imposing export controls to combat unfair trade practices, and protecting intellectual property. The Administration has worked to combat threats posed by trade secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage, including by actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China. But grouping cases in the manner contemplated by this legislation would undermine DOJ's ability to investigate and prosecute such criminal activity, including by making it more difficult for the Department to obtain cooperation from victims and witnesses. The bill also could give rise to incorrect and harmful public perceptions that DOJ applies a different standard to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct related to the Chinese people or to American citizens of Chinese descent. The Administration will continue to work with, not against, American businesses, civil society, and higher education institutions to protect them from trade secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage. The Administration thus strongly opposes this legislation, which would impair those vital efforts.