WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today introduced the Cutting-off Communist Profiteers (CCP) Act (S. 442). This legislation would prohibit any U.S. political appointees from knowingly representing, aiding, or advising the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chinese military companies.

This also includes entities knowingly receiving any assistance from the Government of China or the CCP. The penalties under this act would include one to five years of imprisonment and civil penalties of not more than $50,000 for each violation.

“China has proven time and time again that it will stop at nothing to be the dominant world power. This includes using former American government officials as pawns to advance the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At a time when the CCP is more emboldened than ever, we must do everything possible to protect our national security,” said Barrasso. “American political appointees should not be allowed to cash in their government secrets for a job with a Chinese company. The CCP Act will safeguard our national security by banning these government workers from going to work for Chinese companies.”

“If the American people have learned anything during the last week, it’s that the Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted. Political appointees serving in presidential administrations have access to some of the most sensitive information and should never work on behalf of our adversaries,” said Lummis. “I’m proud to join my friend Senator Barrasso in introducing this commonsense bill to prevent appointees from knowingly representing or aiding the CCP.”

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest international threat to American sovereignty,” said Braun. “No American political appointee should ever be compromised by China -- which is why I'm proud to support this bill that will help protect our nation from the influence of the CCP."

“Far too often, political appointees misuse their previous U.S. government service to the American people to turn around and lobby for the Chinese Communist Party,” said Hagerty. “That’s why I am pleased to join Senator Barrasso’s principled legislation to put an end to this practice for good.”

Full text of the CCP Act can be found here.

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