Introducing the China Task Force
Two weeks ago, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy launched the China Task Force (CTF). This forward leaning task force, chaired by House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Michael McCaul, will develop new and enduring solutions to address the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) global malign behavior.
The CTF will issue a comprehensive report with key findings, policy recommendations, and legislative solutions across the domains critical to our strategic competition against the CCP.
The China Task Force is focusing on five pillars: National Security, Technology, Economics and Energy, Competitiveness, and Ideological Competition. Each member of the task force will serve on two pillars as a co-chair. Staff from 11 committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives will support the members by providing policy expertise across the five pillars in addition to facilitating briefings and hearings with the Administration and other experts.
As part of the China Task Force’s work, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans are continuing to investigate how both the Chinese Communist Party and the World Health Organization mishandled the coronavirus outbreak.
Meet the Members
Members of the China Task Force span nearly every committee and have the diverse experience required to take on this generational challenge.
Pillar One: National Security
Members on this pillar will address the wide array of threats from the CCP across the military, intelligence, law enforcement, and other related domains. They will make policy recommendations to bolster our national security against the CCP’s malfeasance, with a focus on policies that will help ensure the U.S. military is ready to address CCP territorial aggression that threatens the U.S. and our allies; stop the CCP from stealing American ideas to fuel their Military-Civil fusion initiative; curb the flow of fentanyl from China to the United States; and strengthen cyber security.
National Security Pillar Co-Chairs: Rep. Jim Banks (IN-3), Rep. Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Rep. Denver Riggleman (VA-5), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21).
Pillar Two: Technology
Maintaining the United States’ cutting edge in technology is critical. The Members on this pillar will conduct an in-depth assessment of specific advanced technology industries that are essential for American security and competitiveness for the 21st century. They will help build out technology-specific policy frameworks and incentives to supercharge American innovation in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors; bolster domestic and reliable supply chains; and stay ahead in the new space race.
Technology Pillar Co-Chairs: Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-8), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rep. John Joyce M.D. (PA-13), Rep. Denver Riggleman (VA-5), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2).
Pillar Three: Economics and Energy
Members on this pillar will address United States competition with the CCP in international trade, economic statecraft, and the energy industry. They will build out policies to help counter the CCP’s predatory Belt and Road Initiative; promote U.S. business interests abroad; and strengthen trade agreements to open export markets and level the playing field for U.S. industry around the world.
Economics and Energy Pillar Co-Chairs: Rep. Andy Barr (KY-6), Rep. John Curtis (UT-3), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez(OH-16), Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-18), and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14).
Pillar Four: Competitiveness
The CCP aims to replace the United States as the economic, military, and political leader of the world by 2049. Strength starts at home, and the Members on this pillar will ensure the United States is making the reforms and investments required to compete and win in our strategic competition. Members of this pillar will help form a proactive, offensive agenda to increase the competitiveness of the United States relative to the CCP and secure our leadership on the world stage.
Competitiveness Pillar Co-Chairs: Rep. Andy Barr (KY-6), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Rep. John Joyce M.D. (PA-13), Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-18), and Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-6).
Pillar Five: Ideological Competition
Our strategic competition with the CCP is also ideological. The CCP seeks to undermine the American values of democracy, human rights, and individual liberty to spread the CCP’s techno-authoritarian “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.” Members on this pillar will focus on holding the CCP accountable for their egregious human rights abuses, wide scale disinformation campaigns, and subversion of international organizations, while strengthening our bonds with like-minded freedom-loving allies and partner nations.
Ideological Competition Pillar Co-Chairs: Rep. Jim Banks (IN-3), Rep. Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Rep. John Curtis (UT-3), Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-8), Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2), and Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-6).
