House Panel Advances Bill to Sanction Chinese Leaders

The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 28-22 this week to approve a bill that would impose property-blocking sanctions on Chinese Communist Party leaders for committing human rights violations.

During a markup session, Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., said the proposed “Stop CCP Act," reintroduced in May 2023 by Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich. (see 2305180010), would deter repression by holding Chinese officials personally accountable for such activities. He said Chinese officials currently "don't believe that we're serious" about countering their human rights violations, as well as their aggressive moves toward Taiwan.

Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., criticized the bill, saying it would cause an “unprecedented fissure” in U.S.-China relations. "Poking China in the eye in ways that only raise tensions in the region isn't a strategy," he said.

Barr countered that "that ship has sailed" because tensions between the two countries are already high over China's "provocative actions." He disagreed with Meeks' assertion that the bill would prevent U.S. officials from communicating with their Chinese counterparts.

The committee also voted 49-1 to approve a Meeks bill that would impose sanctions on foreign persons who contribute to the construction of a tunnel from Russia to Crimea (see 2403180056). Meeks said that such a tunnel would bolster Russia’s control of Crimea, which it invaded in 2014, and aid its war against Ukraine. The bill “is a clear signal to the world that this tunnel should not be constructed,” he said.

The committee also voted 36-13, to approve a bill by Rep. John James, R-Mich., that would require a review of the U.S.-South Africa relationship. James said that South Africa's anti-Israel sentiment and increasing ties with China and Russia necessitates such a review.