Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, this week announced he is cosponsoring the Stop China’s IP Theft Act. This legislation would effectively bar senior Chinese Communist Party officials from entering the United States.
“Communist China is America’s geopolitical foe,” Brooks said. “Communist China unleashed a deadly virus on the world then lied about it. Communist China tries to undermine America at every turn and has a long history of stealing America’s intellectual property. America should make it as difficult as possible for Communist China to work against us and steal from us.”
The bill would ban U.S. issuance of entry visas for Chinese government officials, active-duty members of the Chinese military, and senior members of the Chinese Community Party and their family members.
The Stop China’s IP Theft Act is sponsored by Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona. The measure is also co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Jody Hice of Georgia, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Greg Steube of Florida, Denver Riggleman of Virginia and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.
Lesko wrote on Twitter: “I am introducing the Stop China’s IP Theft Act to prevent key Chinese officials and their families from entering the U.S. until we can certify that the People’s Republic of China has stopped their efforts to steal U.S. intellectual property.”
In September, the Trump administration’s State Department announced that it revoked more than 1,000 visas of Chinese nationals over their military links. In May, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to limit visa issuances over potential IP theft concerns.
Chinese theft of American intellectual property, including tech with military applications, has been a problem for decades even as the two countries have grown in their trade relationships. The Stop China’s IP Theft Act is not likely to advance in the Democratic Party-controlled U.S. House of Representatives and time is running out on the 116th Congress.
Brooks was recently elected to his sixth term representing Alabama’s 5th Congressional District. Brooks had no Democratic opponent and he easily bested his Republican primary opponent.
