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New Legislation Targets Chinese Influence in Congress

FIRST ON FOX: Freshman Republican Congressman Abe Hamadeh has introduced a significant piece of legislation aimed at reducing the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within the United States Congress.

Representing Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, Hamadeh was sworn into office last month and wasted no time in addressing what he perceived to be a troubling issue. The newly introduced bill seeks to ban “China Daily” and other publications affiliated with the CCP from being distributed within House facilities. In a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, he explained the rationale behind his initiative.

Upon entering his office on his first day, Hamadeh was surprised to find a copy of “China Daily” among other well-known publications such as the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Reacting to this discovery, he noted, “I asked myself, ‘Why is this publication here?’ Upon further examination, it became clear that this newspaper is not just foreign-owned, but is also a registered foreign agent of the Chinese government.”

Hamadeh expressed his disapproval about the distribution of such materials in Congress, stating, “I find it unacceptable that it is circulated freely within our legislative chambers, utilizing our internal mail system to disseminate what is essentially propaganda.” He emphasized that addressing this issue was a priority for him as he began his legislative career, asserting that there should be no space for foreign propaganda in Congress.

Details of the Proposed Bill

The legislation stipulates that the Chief Administrative Officer of the House should immediately halt the distribution of CCP state-controlled media and restrict the use of House email for such materials. However, it would still allow members of Congress to access these publications privately if they choose to do so.

Hamadeh elaborated on the underlying motives of CCP’s actions: “The Chinese government understands that they can exert influence over both Congress members and their staff. Their strategy involves targeting young, energetic staffers who may not be aware that this publication is associated with a foreign adversary.”

He further remarked on the broader implications of this information warfare, suggesting that the CCP’s dissemination of propaganda is intended to sway opinions at high levels of American governance, which he believes is wholly inappropriate.

Previous Criticism of China Daily

The controversial status of “China Daily” has been highlighted in previous years, drawing criticism from several high-profile figures, including former Senator Marco Rubio, who criticized the paper’s role in promoting CCP narratives. Rubio pointed out that the outlet aims to subvert U.S. media by disseminating the Party’s ambitions. Notably, the Chinese publication has attempted to dismiss the U.S. media’s reporting on issues like the persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Hamadeh intends for his bill to prompt discussions among Congress members about the appropriateness of allowing a state-run publication to circulate freely on Capitol Hill. “I want to see how my colleagues feel about a foreign publication being casually available in their offices,” he stated, noting that no one is being prohibited from reading “China Daily” outside of official resources.

Another point raised by Hamadeh involved the inconsistency in the treatment of media at the federal level. “It is perplexing to see Joe Biden eliminate the New York Post from the White House press pool while permitting ‘China Daily’ unrestricted access to Congress,” he remarked. “This simply cannot continue.”

Hamadeh also highlighted his district’s proximity to important economic factors, such as Taiwanese companies relocating away from China, framing his legislative efforts as a necessary step in mitigating foreign influence in the U.S. The Congressman mentioned that various legislative efforts at both state and federal levels aim to restrict the CCP’s acquisition of American farmland and vital resources near military installations, indicating a growing awareness of these threats.

Overall, Hamadeh’s introduction of this bill signifies a proactive stance against foreign influence within the U.S. legislative framework, calling for greater scrutiny and limitations on the distribution of foreign media in government institutions.

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