Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered opening remarks at today’s subcommittee markup on five bills.

Excerpts and highlights below:

BEATING CHINA

“Welcome to the first Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee markup of the 118th Congress.

“It is fitting to follow up from last week’s subcommittee hearing on competitiveness versus China by bringing real solutions.

“As I said last week, the American people are the most innovative in the world, but American innovation to build the future of tomorrow means nothing if our government creates barriers and red tape that stand in the way.

“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to prop up its private sector by throwing money at it.

“America must not give in to the temptation to follow suit, but instead look at the reasons why our companies leave our shores.

“Authorizing billions of dollars in government spending is not a silver bullet for the challenges our country faces.

“We must analyze and tackle the root causes of our challenges.”

BIPARTISAN BILLS TO COUNTER CHINA

“So today we will pass H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023, a historically bipartisan bill that will help us understand what barriers stand in the way of increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from our friendly nations.

“I say ‘friendly,’ because importantly, Mr. Pence included language to ensure China cannot meddle with America’s innovative private sector.

“Research has shown there is a close relationship between higher inbound FDI and fostering more start-up companies.

“Higher inbound FDI to the United States also encourages companies that are feeling the pressure for a return on investment to remain here at home, which is essential to securing America’s supply chains.

“I want to thank Mr. Pence for his continued leadership on this legislation and for being a true ally for American innovation.

“We will also advance legislation to provide greater transparency to the American people about how China may be tracking them.

“We learned last week that China will stop at nothing to undermine our country – and it begins with collecting information about and the American people and our constituents.

“We saw live coverage as the CCP deployed a spy balloon that traveled across the country and was not shot down until it had traveled our coasts from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

“What they had collected and transferred back to their country is still a mystery. And our constituents’ anxiety is certainly understandable.”

CHINA THREATENS AMERICAN DATA SECURITY

“But let’s also remember that the threats we face today are not only at 60,000 feet but are also in the palms of our hands.

“While TikTok remains in the app stores for the average American to download, we have been prohibited from downloading it onto our work devices.

“I want to thank my colleagues from Florida, Reps. Cammack and Soto, for introducing the CAUTION Act, which requires anyone who sells or distributes a mobile application that is banned on federal government devices to notify any individual prior to downloading or uploading the application of such ban.

“If you visit my home state, you will likely encounter signage warning you of alligators in the area. What you do with that knowledge is certainly up to you. But the advisory is warranted given the risk.

“The CAUTION Act takes a similar approach through an advisory label to users about the risks of downloading a government-banned app.

“And while TikTok deserves our scrutiny, there are many applications or websites that may have associations with or located in China.

“Therefore, the Subcommittee will also be moving forward H.R. 784 the Internet Application I.D. Act from Reps. Fulcher and Pappas, and H.R. 742, the TELL Act from Reps. Duncan and Kaptur.

“While many of these apps or websites may not pose any danger, Americans deserve to know if they have connections to the CCP.

“They also deserve to be informed if use of the platform will enable the CCP to access sensitive user data.

“These are bills which have been championed by lawmakers for several years now, and in the light of our Committee’s emphasis on the dangers stemming from Chinese aggression, I’m glad we will further examine them today.

“I’m also proud to see these proposals supplement the already strong provisions in our data privacy legislation.

“The clock continues to tick in the race to win the future against the CCP’s oppressive regime.”