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The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the Strategic Homeland Intelligence and Enforcement Legislation to Defend (SHIELD) Against CCP Act, introduced by Representative Dale W. Strong, R-Alabama. The legislation, aimed at countering threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), passed by a vote of 409-4.
“China is one of the biggest threats to our country, and they have taken every opportunity over the last four years to exploit Biden’s open borders. This bill will ensure DHS has a dedicated team working to combat this threat head-on. After a long four years, it’s time to make America safer. I’m excited to get this bill through to better protect the American people,” said Rep. Dale Strong.
The SHIELD Against CCP Act establishes a working group within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tasked with identifying, assessing, and reporting on nontraditional tactics employed by the CCP to undermine U.S. security. The legislation directs DHS to bolster efforts to counter espionage, intellectual property theft, and other malign activities by the CCP.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, apprehensions of Chinese foreign nationals at U.S. borders have surpassed 64,000 since the Biden-Harris Administration took office. DHS has acknowledged that some Chinese nationals exploit immigration systems to collect intelligence, steal intellectual property, and harass dissidents in the U.S.
The SHIELD Act follows growing alarm over CCP activities, including a surveillance balloon spotted over sensitive defense sites in February 2023 and the discovery of illegal Chinese police stations operating within U.S. borders. During a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing in March, national security experts detailed additional threats, including the CCP’s theft of intellectual property, exploitation of U.S. universities, and risks to critical infrastructure.
“It is estimated that the People’s Republic of China’s theft of U.S. intellectual property extends to the billions, amounting to approximately $4,000 to $6,000 per American family of four after paying taxes,” experts testified. These economic espionage activities are described by government agencies as a “grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States.”
Representative Barry Moore, who also supported the bill, emphasized the CCP’s broad range of threats, including fentanyl trafficking, human trafficking, and efforts to acquire U.S. farmland near military installations. “The Chinese Communist Party is a clear and present threat to our national security,” said Moore. “From trafficking fentanyl to buying up American farmland near our military installations, their actions demand a strong, swift, and united response. This bill ensures we are better prepared to confront these dangers.”
The SHIELD Against CCP Act also mandates interagency collaboration and policy evaluations to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, border security concerns, and economic supply chain threats.
The legislation will now move to the Senate for consideration. If enacted, it promises to strengthen the U.S. government’s ability to counter CCP activities and enhance homeland security in the face of evolving challenges.
