Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), along with several Republican colleagues, introduced the STRATEGIC Act of 2024 in Washington today. The legislation aims to position the United States and its allies for success in strategic competition against China.

“A world where China is the global economic, geopolitical, and military leader is a world where the United States is less secure and less prosperous,” said Senator Romney. He emphasized that while this legislation does not replace the need for a comprehensive strategy from the administration, it includes policies to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative, eliminate malign influences in educational institutions, and strengthen security alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) highlighted Congress's failure to enact crucial legislation addressing China's threat. “This legislation takes strong positions to safeguard U.S. and allied interests and provides actionable provisions that will help us in our strategic competition with China," he stated.

Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) called for an all-of-government approach to ensure American dominance against China. “The STRATEGIC Competition Act is a crucial step to ensuring the federal government has the tools it needs to keep Americans safe,” he said.

Senator Todd Young (R-IN) pointed out that the legislative package contains initiatives critical for countering Chinese influence, strengthening supply chains, and supporting Taiwan. “By supporting our partners under threat of coercion, we protect America’s own national security interests,” he added.

“China is our greatest economic competitor and one of the biggest geopolitical threats,” noted Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). He criticized the Biden-Harris administration's policies as having strengthened China's position.

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) accused the current administration of allowing China's actions to go unchecked. “This legislation forces real action to defend American prosperity and security against Chinese coercion,” he asserted.

Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) described China as "the greatest geopolitical threat" faced by the U.S., emphasizing that ignoring their trade practices would be detrimental.

“There is consensus in Congress that the Chinese Communist Party is America’s number one strategic threat,” said Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). He stressed protecting America's interests while also addressing energy resources' strategic opportunities and escalating threats against Taiwan.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed vulnerabilities exposed by China’s actions on supply chains, intellectual property theft, influencing policymakers, and weaponizing international trade. He argued that this legislation would strengthen responses to these issues.

Finally, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) remarked on China's attempts to surpass America as a superpower using various tools at its disposal. He noted that this bill advances national security goals by enhancing enforcement capabilities through FARA amendments aimed at limiting foreign entities' influence operations within U.S borders.