Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at sanctioning foreign adversary entities that support China’s maritime militia. The Targeting Illicit Disruption and Encroachment in Seas (TIDES) Act seeks to address China's use of its maritime militia to assert territorial claims, harass U.S. and allied ships in the South China Sea, and conduct illicit fishing activities.

“The Chinese Communist Party uses its maritime militia, disguised as commercial fishing vessels, to illegally expand its reach in the South China Sea,” said Senator Romney. “By providing the necessary authority to sanction the entities that provide support this militia fleet, Congress can equip the administration with a tool to send a message that the United States will not allow China’s increased aggression in the region to go unchecked.”

Senator Kaine emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation for national security and global economic stability. “Ensuring freedom of navigation is critical to our national security, the security of our allies, and the global economy. But over the past decade, the People’s Republic of China has sought to extend its control in the South China Sea by expanding its maritime militia,” he stated. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to provide the President with new authority to sanction foreign entities that support informal maritime militias, and help ensure our seas remain free and open.”

China's maritime militia has intensified its operations over the last decade, supporting efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to control territory and engage in illegal fishing activities in the South China Sea. The militia often conducts blockades of trade routes and engages in dangerous maneuvers against other vessels, including those from the U.S., aiming to disrupt lawful maritime transit.

In June, Senator Romney introduced the TIDES Act as an amendment to the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Full text of the TIDES Act can be found here.

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