Rep. Crawford: We Must Stop China from Lying, Stealing, and Cheating its Way to the Top

Press Release

Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) delivered remarks before the Senate Conference Committee for the America COMPETES Act.

Rep. Crawford's prepared remarks are below.

Like my colleagues here today, I am eager to get to work on this pivotal legislation.

The United States is at a crossroads, facing true Great Power Competition for the first time since the Cold War, with an adversary willing to push all limits to gain the upper hand.

It is imperative that we equip American industry to compete with China, and both Chambers have presented ideas that work toward this goal.

However, in many ways the legislation before the Conference has turned into a partisan catch-all, littered with policies that are redundant, unproductive, and not germane.

My colleagues and I on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are concerned about the 4 billion dollar authorization in the COMPETES Act for a new EDA pilot program.

Not only is this 10 times the EDA's standard appropriations, it waves the cost share typically required, eliminating the skin in the game for recipients.

The authorized activities may be reasonable, but they are largely duplicative, and additional application requirements could add unnecessary burdens on recipients.

Also being considered is the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4996, and I've supported the legislation 3 times in the House.

I agree Congress must address the ongoing cargo backups and delays that are crippling the supply chain and the Federal Maritime Commission's enforcement authority.

However, adding policies that the House and Senate have addressed multiple times already, slows down our ability to address China's rapidly growing influence around the world.

Sooner or later, Congress must address the U.S. businesses investing billions into China's technology sector, the dependence of the pharmaceutical industry on China's precursor ingredients, and our subsidizing of chip production when much of the supply chain remains in China.

The United States remains the global leader across industries and continues to have an unmatched economy, military, and democracy. While China has proven time and time again that they are not a trustworthy partner.

It is imperative that Congress take action today to bolster U.S. growth and competition and ensure China is not permitted to steal and cheat its way to the top.

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