Democrats Rally Against Trump-Era China Initiative Revival: Urgent Plea to Halt Sparks Capitol Controversy

Over a dozen Democratic members sent a letter pushing House and Senate leadership to stop the Trump-era China Initiative.

Democrats urge House, Senate leadership to halt revival of Trump-era China Initiative (Photo: Google)

Democratic Lawmakers Decry China Initiative, Citing Racial Profiling and Civil Rights Concerns

The endeavor to prevent China from collecting scientific and technological secrets was accused of racial profiling targeting Asian professionals.

The members opposed wording in the explanatory sections of H.R. 5893, a crucial House budget measure, that called for China Initiative reactivation. The academic community expressed worries about continuing the program when it ended in 2022 due to issues of prejudice and targeting of Asian scientists.

Democratic lawmakers, headed by Rep. Grace Meng of New York, Rep. Judy Chu of California, and Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, called the China Initiative reactivation a “misallocation of resources” and a civil rights setback. They disputed the explanatory materials’ description of the program’s closure as “deeply irresponsible” and “unwise.”

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Republican Legislators Accuse Justice Department of Prioritizing Political Correctness over National Security

Republican legislators on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee wrote explanatory documents accusing the Department of Justice of putting political correctness above national security. The politicians wanted a Justice Department National Security Division office with a similar function reinstated.

Rep. Grace Meng cautioned that resuming the China Initiative might put innocent Asian Americans in danger again by questioning their patriotism and perpetuating negative stereotypes. Due to the Justice Department’s lack of information on the initiative’s effect on Asian Americans, legislators advised caution.

Democratic MPs stressed the need for a budget reflecting national interests and values and opposed surrendering human rights to relaunch the China Initiative.

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