Indy Standard

U.S. Senators Todd Young, Rick Scott, Ted Cruz, Katie Britt, and John Cornyn have introduced the Countering Corrupt Political Influence Act (CCP Influence Act) in an effort to enhance transparency and reporting requirements for Chinese Communist Party officials conducting government business in the United States.

The proposed legislation seeks to build on a policy from the Trump administration that mandates Chinese foreign missions, including embassies and consulates across the U.S., to notify the State Department prior to any official meetings with state or local officials, as well as visits to educational and research institutions.

This bill also extends its scope to include foreign missions from other countries of concern such as Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan under Taliban control. It would require a monthly report of these notification logs from the State Department to be sent to the President and relevant Senate committees.

Senator Young stated: “Chinese diplomats in the U.S. have access to a wide range of Americans and American institutions... Our bill responds to this imbalance of policy by requiring diplomats to report meetings with certain U.S. entities and individuals to the State Department.”

Senator Scott emphasized: “For too long, the U.S. has allowed our adversaries like Communist China to operate... I am demanding more transparency... That is why I am introducing the CCP Influence Act.”

Senator Cruz highlighted: “China poses the most significant long-term threat... The United States has inadequate transparency into these activities.”

Senator Cornyn added: “To effectively counter growing threats from the CCP... This legislation would require adversaries like China to disclose their diplomatic activity.”