era program rooting out Chinese spies

Lawmakers voted 237-180 to advance a bill aimed at combating intellectual theft from the Chinese government, which has reportedly cost the U.S. economy up to $600 billion annually. Introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden, the legislation seeks to reinstate a program within the DOJ National Security Division that was dismantled under the Biden administration due to concerns over racial profiling of Chinese Americans. The initiative, originally established in 2018, focused on preventing Chinese infiltration in U.S. industries and safeguarding technological advancements. The revived program aims to enhance collaboration between the DOJ, FBI, and other federal agencies to protect critical American infrastructure. Gooden emphasized the need for federal law enforcement to have the necessary tools to combat the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to steal American trade secrets. Despite previous criticisms regarding the program's impact on Chinese Americans, the bill has garnered bipartisan support, with over 20 House Democrats voting in favor. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain amid ongoing concerns about potential discrimination against individuals of Chinese descent. Earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers expressed their opposition to the reinstatement of the China Initiative, fearing it could lead to unjust targeting of Chinese Americans. The initiative previously resulted in 160 indictments, with at least 45 convictions or guilty pleas. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate, the legislation reflects a growing urgency to address national security threats posed by foreign espionage and protect American innovation.