Chairman Burgess Opening Remarks on Continuing Appropriations & Legislation Confronting China's Malign Influence

As prepared for delivery:

Good afternoon.

As part of our Commitment to America, House Republicans pledged to strengthen the supply chain and defend America's national security. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's weakness, an emboldened China still threatens those tenets.

Three years ago, their botched and shameful withdrawal from Afghanistan forever damaged our nation's credibility. Today, the White House continues to erode our country's standing in the world-most notably via their coordinated campaign to wind down the Biden presidency as we face the most perilous time in decades.

Americans have every right to ask the prevailing question: If President Biden isn't fit to seek reelection, how could he be fit to serve as Commander in Chief? Sadly, the President's enablers are using every tool in their playbook to shut down that conversation. But the end result is America's strength on the world stage has declined drastically. And foreign adversaries like China are taking notice.

House Republicans have made America's national security a priority. And this week, we continue our work to put forward solutions that make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous. Specifically, we'll consider five measures designed to counter the Chinese Communist Party. Through its Belt and Road Initiative and other efforts, the CCP has carried out a whole-of-government campaign to infiltrate institutions and economies across the globe. Our society must be insulated from their reach-whether it's our intellectual property, our international agreements, the vehicles we own, or the very land we inhabit.

Make no mistake, China is our greatest geopolitical adversary. Every day we allow their global influence campaign to continue, the weaker America becomes. If the Biden-Harris Administration won't prioritize American national security, House Republicans will.

Lastly, current government funding expires at the end of the month. While House Republicans have been hard at work passing appropriations bills off the floor, Senate progress - or lack thereof - makes clear that more time is needed to complete the work of funding our federal agencies. This continuing resolution extends current funding for six months, and includes the SAVE Act, common sense legislation passed off the House floor earlier this year that protects our elections from foreign influence.

I will now yield to our ranking member, Mr. McGovern, for any remarks he wishes to make.

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